The Secret World of Mermaids

The Kingdom of Wrenly #8

by Jordan Quinn, Robert McPhillips (Illustrator)

Prince Lucas discovers underwater secrets when he gets a glimpse of the mermaids’ kingdom in this eighth chapter book in the fantastical Kingdom of Wrenly series.

Lucas and Clara are floating on a raft when a wave hits and throws Lucas into the sea. Before being pulled up to the surface, Lucas catches a glimpse of a coral kingdom filled with castles, towers, and…mermaids! King Caleb tells him that the mermaids have always treasured their privacy, and everyone should respect that. But despite his father’s advice, Lucas is determined to find out more about the mermaids’ secret world!

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, The Kingdom of Wrenly chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

Genres: Fantasy, Chapter Books, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Audiobook, Mermaids

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 12, 2015

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because I like underwater kingdoms. I also enjoyed this book because I liked the part when Lucas fell off a raft, but saw an underwater kingdom.

[Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um sooo I skipped a book. I loved it lots and lots of people well not to to many but more than just people

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review: I have really been enjoying this series and I think that young readers will as well. I did find that Lucas got a bit whiny in this one but I think it was something that the target audience would relate to when reading. I did love the way the mermaid kingdom was able to interact with the people of Wrenly. The message in this one is also great, about the best things and friendships can be hard work but it is worth it in the end.

[Laurian]

My 7 year old loves this series.

[Shannon P · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even for a children's book of about second grade level that is eighth in a series, this story has very little development and is lackluster. To me, it felt as if the story was written after the title was decided instead of the story being written and then a title given to it. From the start, Prince Lucas decides that he will discover the next new world (because this is what Lucas and Clara do...they pretend they discovered places that already have thriving cultures...like Columbus and all thos other guys did). Lucas is so dedicated to the cause that he puts himself and Clara in a dangerous position. That boy could've died and all he's worried about is discovering another world and making Clara believe it. Ugh with this one. He needs a change in parenting if he feels like he's being shortchanged so often that he has to do dangerous things just to get recognition and feel good about himself. But I digress...the rest of the story is "I told you I found it," and "yeah right" until the moment where he has proof and Clara believes him.

This was actually painful. This was like reading a lesson on what your kids shouldn't do with their peers to prove themselves. I had to go back and make up social stories to help fix the problems in this one.

[Andrew J · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't until recently that I have actually delved into a series with so many sequels, and now by book 8, I wonder what I could possibly say that hasn't already been said about it. Prince Lucas and his best friend Clara, who is the daughter of Queen Tasha's servant, go out onto the sea on a wood slab near Mermaid's cove and go out too far. The waves become more and more wild and before long, they fall off the wood. Underwater, Lucas sees a mermaid kingdom and a mermaid takes him to the surface despite a pact made by God only knows who. A pact between humans and merpeople: if mermaids and mermen stay away from the humans, the humans will respect merperson privacy. Clara is understandably, or otherwise reservedly, skeptical.
My only real problem with this sequel is, really, it's ending. King Caleb mentions Zane, King of the merpeople, and that he could speak to him about the pact and Lucas's recurring dreams of a mermaid allegedly named Avalon, but it doesn't happen in the book. It was still a good sequel, though.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this at the library today with my grandchildren! I thought maybe my 10 year old granddaughter would like it... but it is actually more for 7-8 year olds I think. This is a simple story, but cute. You do immediately like the characters. There seem to be several of these books...this was number 8 but from reading it, I hardly think reading them in serial order makes any difference. Probably a great little series for young children!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

James: I liked how Prince Lucas and his friends found a raft at Mermaid Cove and decided to go on it. After a while, the waves got bigger and they fell off. Clara easily got back on but Lucas sunk and found where the mermaids lived. He saw a mermaid through a window and that mermaid carried him all the way back up to the raft. Then he dreamed of the mermaid and then the next night he dreamed again.

Abbie: I liked the mermaid kingdom and the mermaid's gift.

[Bastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret World of Mermaids is about an exciting underwater adventure with magical mermaids. The story moves quickly and focuses more on what happens than on the characters themselves. The mermaids are kind and fun to follow, but they don’t change much during the story. I liked the magical world and how it felt peaceful and a little funny. The mermaids are what I’ll remember most!

[Elisha Blade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series. It incorporates a lot of lessons weaved through the story. I enjoyed how this story spoke about friendships and how they can start rocky, but to truly try to get to know others. You don’t want to miss out on a wonderful friend because it’s not easy. Beautiful lesson for children who are struggling making friends.

[Beth Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud to the younger kids. This was not my favorite plot-wise, but it did a great job of integrating friendship and relationship encouragement at the end in a way that was so natural and great for my kids to hear.

[Kimberly Mccune · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most "meh" book in this series.

[Lindsay-Ann Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading this series aloud to my kids (ages 4 & 6). This one has been a favorite.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great chapter book to read with your kindergartener.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

DD and I are loving this series of books. All the books have a bit of a lesson in them, and this was no exception. There is growth in friendships and character, learning new things, and patience.

[Andrea Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one much like the others except I wanted more and it just ended. Will they get to be friends with the mermaids now???

[Shannon Delany · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute tale about friendship, discovery, and competition.

[Ferren · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 8 year old daughter loved the mermaids and scenery in this story. She gives it 4 stars.

[Ingrid Cribbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this out loud with my 8 year old. I couldn’t wait to see what happened.

[Sharlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another favorite for my 3 & 4 year old.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoying these!

[Efox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know I'm not the biggest fan of the Kingdom of Wrenley series - but my kids for sure are - especially my five year old. For me this was one of the better books. Lucas and Clara make terrible decisions and end up stranded out in the ocean. Lucas is rescued by a mermaid and the adventures are pretty delightful.

I'm glad my children enjoy these books so much, even though they don't do it for me. I love reading with them.

[Maximilian Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because I like secret places. I also liked this book because I like underwater stuff.

[Kate McGinty aka Caryn Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prince Lucas is dejected because his villager friend Clara has discovered most of the cool stuff on their adventures. But Lucas finally gets his chance when the two of them go out to sea on a tiny raft and a wave knocks them into the ocean. There before Lucas is the mermaid kingdom so many have talked about but few have ever seen. But how is he supposed to get to know creatures who value their privacy over friendship with humans?

Like the other books in the series, this one has a good mix of mystery and adventure, all set in an enchanting fantasy world filled with castles and dragons and magic. The message about how the best friendships are worth working toward is an important one and covered in a respectful way. The large-print text is interspersed with abundant illustrations, making this one work well for readers who are new to chapter books.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cover: I liked the cover as it shows the underwater world that they have in the kingdom.

Things that I liked: I love that Prince Lucas got to discover a new world and a new friend. It is interesting that while they knew about the Mermaid Cove that they didn't really know what it was like until after Lucas fell off the raft. I found it interesting that Lucas was having dreams about the mermaid kingdom and the underwater world. I love really about their adventures.

Things that I didn't liked: No complaints here. It was a cute read.

Overall: I rated this book 5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommend this series. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clara and Lucas went rafting. A big wave knocked against the raft, and Lucas fell off it into the ocean. Before he got pulled back up to safety, he caught a glimpse of a mermaid world. What will happen next? Read the book to find out!

I like this book a lot. You have got to read this book!

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiction; 117 pgs.; Prince Lucas wants an adventure of his own to discover a new place. He goes on a raft with Clara and falls overboard. He sees the mermaid kingdom and gets help from a mermaid. He tries to convince Clara his adventures were real. Gr. 3-4; Highly recommended.

[Zazie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one! I'm buying these books for my niece but reading them before I give it to her. I'm gonna be getting more and more of this series from now on. One of my favorites and I know it will be the same for my niece.

Recommended series for sure. Enjoy!

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review coming soon!