Deep Sounding Chaos

by Adrian J. Smith, Neen Cohen

A target to capture. A murder to avenge. A life to honor.

Zendalia is a soldier at heart, but when her father is brutally murdered, she must seek vengeance for his death. She dives deep into the ocean to find her father’s murderer and bring them to justice. Her plan goes haywire when she ends up kidnapped by the very mermaid she’s set out to capture, her life suddenly in the hands of a stone-cold killer.

Kaelin isn’t strong-willed or confident or even particularly smart. Banished from her tribe, she wants nothing more than to reclaim her life and do what is right. Instead, she finds herself with a captive she didn’t want. To protect both of them from the real monster lurking in the depths of the ocean, Kaelin breaks her silence and the rules of her exile.

Overcoming animosity, Zendalia and Kaelin make a startling choice. Work with the enemy to save the ocean. But will they find more than they bargained for? Will they find love in the deep soundings?

Prepare yourself for a romantasy of mermaids. If you want sapphic mermaids, action, and a snarky octopus, this fantasy romance book is just for you.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, LGBT, Lesbian, Queer, Young Adult, Science Fiction

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 2, 2024

About the author

Adrian J. Smith has been publishing since 2013 but has been writing nearly her entire life. With a focus on women loving women fiction, AJ jumps genres from action-packed police procedurals to the seedier life of vampires and witches to sweet romances with a May-December twist. She loves writing and reading about women in the midst of the ordinariness of life. Two of her novels, For by Grace and Memoir in the Making, received honorable mentions with the Rainbow Awards.

AJ currently lives in Cheyenne, WY, although she moves often and has lived all over the United States. She loves to travel to different countries and places. She currently plays the roles of author, wife, and mother to two rambunctious kids, occasional handy-woman. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, or her blog.

Reviews

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This co-write by Adrian and Neen was exactly what I needed to start 2024.
I was immersed in a challenging yet all shades of beautiful undersea world with two very different mer lead characters. A royal family rules one set of mer - tech savvy and brightly colored, near the waters surface - Zendalia comes from that tribe. Kaelin is from the waters dark soundings and a tribe ruled by elders. These tribes were once one but split with differing physical looks and mindsets and now legends told are all that remain of previous unity. Science and fear play a part but you should read to find out.
The world building is astounding with descriptions clear and easily pictured and I lost myself in these new waters with Kaelin and Zendalia. Unknown, they share a familiar link which comes to light as the tale progresses. They also have a common enemy, the Kraken but acknowledgement and cooperation is needed to defeat it. Revenge blurs as convictions are set aside and feelings blossom. Strange, enticing, different waters and customs and the two mer called to me and pulled me along. The little octopus works its magic and Princess Soulara is a nicely framed secondary character. Who are the Kraken and what do they want? I have my murky thoughts ......
Oh yes, Smith and Cohen - I am in love with this world and can't wait for book 2.
I highly recommend with 5 stars. Take a chance and dive in!

[Lady Olenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

The story was quite exciting and adrenaline charged. The world of mermaids, the deep unknown, their customs and way of life was so rich and kept my brain switched on. I enjoyed that bit thoroughly.

I think the uhm, sex part was a touch bit much for my rigid way of thinking. I couldn’t get with it. I tried. But other than that I loved the adventures of Kaelin and Z. Looking forward to book 2.

[Cheyenne Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book of 2024, and it's a good one. A mermaid on a quest to avenge her father seeks his killer. But things aren't as they seem, and the two mermaids from separated tribes find common ground, and then more.

Neyon the octopus is a wonderful secondary character. The plot marches along at a good rate as Kaelin and Zendalia unite to defeat a common enemy that is threatening the ocean.

This reads well by itself, but it's also the first of a series, which promises to be as good as the first book.

[Robin Clairvaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Breathtaking Adventure!

Zendalia goes rogue to chase down and exact revenge on Kaelin, the mermaid she’s convinced murdered her father. Kaelin lives a life of forced exile and oppressive guilt. Their first clash is tumultuous, but when a common enemy threatens their lives and all they hold dear, they’re forced to work together with results neither of them could have expected.


Deep Sounding Chaos submerges the reader in breathtaking battles, heart-wrenching internal conflict, and an epic romance from start to finish. This is mostly due to an engaging blend of colorful world building and intense character development. Zendalia and Kaelin are each impressive heroines who navigate their watery domain with strength and bravery while still remaining poignantly vulnerable in the face of a complex array of emotions, ranging from grief to anger to despair to love. The external and internal forces they confront keeps the pages turning as the reader accompanies them on the adventure.

If you enjoy flawed but sexy and powerful heroines facing daring battles of body and heart in a gorgeous fantasy world, you’ll be thrilled to dive into Deep Sounding Chaos.

[Juniper L.H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed feelings! This was disappointing to me as I love this author. This novel was original and creative, and a lot of pieces of this were very well done. Unfortunately, there were some other parts that didn’t quite work for me, and I don’t like how this novel doesn’t stand on its own without the sequels (which I haven’t read yet). The author(s) are clearly very talented, and the writing was great, but some of the choices that were made I didn’t love. The plot (that we saw) was intriguing and I want to know what is happening and going to happen. I will be reading the next two novels, which I think is a solid endorsement.

My Rating: "B-"
GoodReads: 3-stars, rounded down

Highlights:
-The worldbuilding was great. I like the plot mechanics that stand in the way of these protagonists being together, it was very clever. There were a lot of little details that made sense in a big way, and I can tell that the author put some serious thought into these details. It was also very simple to figure out the details in this world without needing any infodumping.
-This was a page turner. I tore though this novel very fast. The entire first half was a roller coaster that barely stopped for breath.
-Ok, so! Reading about a non-human creature lusting after non-human body parts was entertaining and hilarious. Fin width? Really? Honestly it was great. The author also wrote it such that it was clear that these were positive features, and it was clear what they were going for. This might be normal for readers of these types of novels, but it was new to me.
-The “soulmate octopus” was an awesome touch. This was clever and very enjoyable, I liked it a lot. It was fairly obvious what was going to happen and yet that didn’t undercut how much I liked this element.
-We barely got a hint at the plot that is going on, but it was enough that I am invested and want to find out what happens. There were some very attention-grabbing bits of information that were written very well.

Nitpicks:
-There was a lot of the plot and conflict that came from a lack of communication, and it was frustrating. The entire beginning section of the novel could have been mostly avoided if the characters simply explained a few things to each other. This makes for weak (and frustrating) plot as the reader is just waiting for the inevitable conversation to happen.
-Soooooo much self-pity. It was endless, and it got annoying. I understand that character went through some rough stuff, but the degree of self-pity and self-depreciation (in particular) was next level. The reader only saw one bad thing (I realize it was significant) happen to this character and the internal fallout of this didn’t seem to match up to this; it would make sense if there were more details the reader didn’t see but….. well we didn’t see it. It was too repetitive.
-This novel doesn’t work as a standalone. I realize this is a series (although I didn’t know that when I started it) but this novel doesn’t have sufficient resolution on its own. Books in a series should still feel complete enough on their own to be a satisfying reading experience. The only resolution was that the protagonists ended up together (although its still new and untested) and the reader got an underwhelming amount of payoff for the rest of the plot. This end point felt arbitrary, which is never a descriptor that I want to pin to an ending; why this point and not a few scenes earlier or later?

[Issy Waldrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really liked it. A lot. Okay, there is a lot of angst, and both characters have their insecurities and vulnerabilities, and they take so long to get there properly, but it is so worth it. The setting, though, is so much more than it seemed at first glance, and it certainly isn't a typical mermaid setup. There are some hints to it (Zendalia has some 'tech' at the start, for example), but it goes beyond that, and I'm very excited to see what will be revealed in the second book. Along with that is the differing mermaid tribes, and the areas that they live in, and how well they can survive in different depths. And of course their physical makeup - Kaelin really is quite different to Zendalia.

Oh, and Neyon is adorable. ^^

There's action, tender and sweet moments, intimacy, and a whole lot of struggles. It's woven together well, immersive, and really just a very enjoyable and worthwhile read.

[TaniaRina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The call of the Deep is strong
I liked the cultural nuances of this tale. While Zendalia and Kaelin are both mers, they were raised differently. Not only that, but their communities have been out of contact for ages. This is extremely problematic when they first meet as well as regarding the “work with the enemy” conversations (from the book description – not a spoiler!).
A semi-comparable real-life example might be: one branch of a Roman Catholic family became Protestant during the Reformation and left Europe, then one person from each branch met up a century later. They may still speak the same linguistic language, but the words may hold completely different meanings culturally. That issue applies even in modern day societies…
If you wanna know if & how things work out, grab a copy of this to find out. ;)


Fave character:
Neyon (the octopus)

Fave line:
‘I need you more than I need breath.’


I’ve enjoyed many series by Adrian, but only one short story by Neen. I totally jumped at the chance to read this collaboration and look forward to more.

[Pat House · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Mermaid book and want an octopus!

Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2024

Those of us of a certain age and ilk will remember Bette Midler's mermaid character, Delores DeLago. She would zip around the stage in a wheelchair flipping her tail. She would pose the question, "The question before us, is where's her clitorus?" Now I know!

I really enjoyed everything about this book and will continue to read the series. There was alot of world building and honestly I sometimes skip over it in other books. I definitely didn't skip a word of this book- which maybe the highest compliment I can give.

I won't do a recap, because you have it elsewhere.

I highly recommend this book!

[Sophia Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deep breath. (Why do they keep saying breath, it's not air... but I digress)

This book had a lot of potential. It's one of the few that made me giggle in its first pages, which was enough to propel me far into the remain pages.

It also has a lot of problems. The first of which is that poor communication between MCs makes the book feel longer than it needs to be. Misunderstandings should have gotten cleared up much faster. There are multiple instances of this, and sometimes misunderstandings can span large amounts of the book. The initial misunderstanding, for example, spans nearly 40% of the first part of the book. That's just way too much.

There is a turning point and then we move into the second act.

The second act has a few issues as well, unfortunately. It also suffers from bad pacing, though of a different sort. We're pulled through a narrative that feels like it should be a bit shorter and more punchy, as the plot beats happen they seem to happen at a bit of a delay. To try to improve the pacing a bit, I ended up skimming, I'd estimate, about 25% of the second half.

There are moments of good spice, but they're a bit few and far between. This could have been a quite warm and engaging story. It has all the right elements. It has interesting characters and some interesting lore. But, for me at least, it tends to stumble trying to find a rhythm that allows the story to unfold naturally.

I would love a version of this where the two MCs communicate really well, and then they work together to overcome the problems they encounter, rather than spending so much time trying to overcome their communication issues.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this novel. The setting was thought out pretty well, although I did have some questions, like how the food stays in the bowl (shell). Wouldn’t everything float? Those were minor distractions, but I didn’t have all my questions answered, including the one mentioned in the blurb, at least not completely. The differences between the soundings and how they affected the two groups of mers were interesting and made for more cultural differences and issues to overcome. Anyway, the story was entertaining and kept my attention. I hope there’s a follow up. I’d like to see how the krakens are dealt with, and if the two protagonists can overcome their differences, especially the biological ones.

[Wes McGie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the first in a new series about mermaids and a serous threat to their environment and their lives. I’ve always liked the mythology of mermaids, so I found this to be a wonderful book. The authors do a terrific job of immersing the reader into the two main characters’ world. There’s a lot of tension in the story, first between our protagonists, and with the struggle for our shallow ocean living mermaid to survive the deep depths of the ocean, then with the Kraken threat to all living creatures in the sea. The whole book had me wondering just what the Kraken is. There’s also a beautiful romance between our two main mermaids that I loved. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

[Cara Ramsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Fun Sci Fi/Fantasy Adventure With Just The Right Dash Of Romance

Saying much beyond the book’s description would be spoilers but I can say there’s healing going on here along with a touch of fate. Zendalia’s shift from enemy to friend is easy enough to see but their physical attraction lays the foundation for their growing emotional connection. But all through it, there are problems to solve and each of those problems pushes them in different directions. Navigating all that and resolving most of those issues is where Book 1 takes us. And it introduces us Solara, the princess who figures centrally in the next book.

So give it a read if you like a nice mix of sci fi, fantasy, and mermaids!

[Looby Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diving into this book was hugely enjoyable. The story was so different from what I’ve read before and I was instantly transported into Zendalia’s world as she sought revenge for her father’s demise.
Kaelin was the dark to Z’s light and they complimented each other so well. The story was fresh and original and I wanted to keep reading all the other books in the trilogy to find out what happens next.
The world building made it easy to imagine exactly what their surroundings looked like. I can’t wait for book 2 now.
Both authors have done a fantastic job!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Amber Justice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a mermaid romance, and I absolutely LOVED it! The tale (tail? haha) of Zendalia and Kaelin was engrossing from the very start. Zendalia is out for revenge against the mermaid who killed her father, while also trying to continue his research into an issue that is becoming more and more evident regarding the sounding where she resides in the ocean. Kaelin is the object of her revenge. This enemies-to-lovers story was chock-full of action and had me on the edge of my seat many times. The ending is very satisfying and sets up the next book in the series perfectly. Can't wait to read book 2!!

[Ngoni Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a well written story, with a set up that showed great authorship. Despite the story being about mermaids, the similarities between our human worlds and the mermaids worlds made the story believable. Many tines I had to always remind myself that I was reading about mermaids. The difference between the protagonists and the similarities were also satisfying. I hope to learn more about the mermaids world. The next installment should be satisfying..
I received an advance review copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Holly Violet · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like angst then this is the book for you. I spent 90% of this book screaming at the two main protagonists to just COMMUNICATE!! However, the characters were relatable (even for those of us without a tail) and the overall story as a whole was well written and put together with just the right amount of twists and turns. Overall an angsty but enjoyable read.

I was given an ARC copy of this book for an honest review, so I gave one.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fantasy is a well written tale featuring revenge seeking Zendalia and exiled Kaelin. Both characters are slowly transformed as they gradually get to know each other throughout the story. They both need to work a bit on their communication skills so be prepared for some angst on that front. The pacing was good and the action kept me engrossed. Reading Deep Sounding Chaos made me believe mermaids really do exist. I'm looking forward to the continuation of the series.

[Francoise Huang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two mermaids of extremely different cultural background and spiritual belief and one pacifying octopus are trying to survive the chaos caused by a kraken.
It's a very well written story that implements the difficulty of cross cultural understanding, a bit of development evolution and mythical spirituality.
However, it is the Yoda-ish octopus Noyen that won my heart in this novel. The character works both as a comic relief and an umpire between the mermaids.

[Kim Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually read fantasy books but it being an Adrian J Smith book I had to give it a chance. I am so glad I did because I could not put this book down. It had me captivated from start to finish. It answered questions about mermaids I didn't even know I had lol. Adrian and Keen knocked it out of the park.This is the first book in the Love,Tails, and Battle Wails series and  I can't wait for the next one. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lis Reads Everything · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never knew I needed mermaids until this book! I devoured it in one day. There's revenge and enemies and family issues. Some angst because sometimes even mermaids just don't know what to say or how to say it properly. But in the end, there's love and it's so beautiful. I love the little tail touches :)
The world was well-written and who wouldn't end up falling just a little bit in love with Neyon?
Now I can't wait for the next instalment as I really need more of this world!

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible Romantic Fantasy

It's hard to put into words how awesome this "mermaid" tale is. It's an incredible romantic fantasy that plays into many of the fears of today's world where we fail miserably to protect the future of our world. But it is not preachy! It's a special love story on many levels. I just loved reading it. Now have to wait for book 2, this wasn't a cliffhanger though, there's just more of the story to tell along with a predicted new romance. Yes.

[The Wild Weary Cow Reads Sapphic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mermaids have never really done it for me........TILL NOW!!. It's so well written that you feel you're in the deep dark waters with Zendalia & Kaelin . Also never knew Mermaid sex could be a kink lmao.. I'm desperate to find out what the heck is going on in the Sounding.
It's not the first book from Adrian J Smith I've read and she fast became a Top 10 Author for me. It is the first time I've read a Neen Cohen story and will be checking out her back list.

[Marybeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Not surprising because it is two great authors together. The MC were well drawn and the world building amazing. I felt like I was in the ocean with them. The mers lives in different places -- the upper and lower soundings -- but are both being affected by something awful. Can they work together? And what about the sizzling attraction beween our MC's?

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an intriging story. Well writen mer characters. Your fantasy is awakening:). I read it in 2 days, because of the books took me in. It have everything in it. I can't wait for the next book in the serie.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

mermaid love!

Who would have thought it? Adrien Smith and Neen Cohen, that’s who. Loved the adventure, save the world, enemies to… story. (I would say fish out of water, but, nope. That’s low hanging fruit.) This was quite a fun read.

[Kaitlin Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a friend, and although I had never read a mermaid-themed story before, I am so glad I gave it a try, because I loved every second of it! Now I can’t wait to start the next one in the series.

[Kierstin Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the story and world that was created by the authors, the writing and romance were just okay. It didn’t really blow me away and I didn’t really feel anything for the characters. I am interested in the story enough to continue the series and see where it takes me.

[tenthmuse ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

lesbian mermaids my beloved

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing

Our worth is measured by the love we have for ourselves. It is from this foundation we let ourselves love another. Truly finding a happiness.

[Jes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mid