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Guardians of the Deep: Luana's Ascent
Fourteen-year-old Luana has always felt more at home in the ocean than on land, especially when the world above gets too loud, too fast, and too much. But nothing could prepare her for the day she and her brother rescue an octopus... and find themselves pulled into an underwater world they never imagined.
Welcome to the Intertidal School of the Pacific—a secret academy hidden beneath the waves where mermaids teach other merfolk and a select few humans to become ocean Guardians. Paired with a fierce animal Defender, Luana must learn to navigate magic, danger, and the unspoken language of the sea.
But something is wrong in the deep. A strange, shimmering force is spreading through the ocean, thriving on greed and leaving chaos in its wake. As Luana and her new friends race to uncover the truth, she’ll have to face her deepest fears, unlock her hidden strength, and decide who she really wants to be.
Because saving the sea… might just mean saving herself.
Welcome to the Intertidal School of the Pacific—a secret academy hidden beneath the waves where mermaids teach other merfolk and a select few humans to become ocean Guardians. Paired with a fierce animal Defender, Luana must learn to navigate magic, danger, and the unspoken language of the sea.
But something is wrong in the deep. A strange, shimmering force is spreading through the ocean, thriving on greed and leaving chaos in its wake. As Luana and her new friends race to uncover the truth, she’ll have to face her deepest fears, unlock her hidden strength, and decide who she really wants to be.
Because saving the sea… might just mean saving herself.
- GenresYoung Adult
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 2, 2025
10 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 5, 2025
Hogwarts but make it under the sea with mermaids, selkies, and humans? AND sea animal companions?! Sign me up!
In all seriousness, I loved this book! First off, the world the author created is so immersive, and the imagery is beyond beautiful! The target audience of this book is young teens, but adults will absolutely still enjoy it. Some pretty heavy hitting topics are explored in this book- mental health, bullying, the feeling of not fitting in, and not being good enough. Luana’s journey both broke my heart at times and also uplifted and inspired me at others. I could really relate to her as I have struggled with anxiety and a lack of confidence myself, especially as a teenager. I love that Luana found her people in this book. The way Skye inspired her and pushed her in all the right ways was so heartwarming to watch. I also thought that the other side characters in this book were so fun and well developed!
The author, Blake, is not only a shark safety diver, but also a science writer! One thing that makes this book so special is that while it is a fantasy world, it includes accurate information about sea life and diving. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more the ocean and the creatures in it. Blake’s expertise really came into play when it came time for Luana to try to bond with her Defender. I absolutely loved watching them connect, it was so touching and heartwarming. The end of this book definitely had me tearing up. Luana’s journey is just beginning, and I’m so excited to see where it takes her next.
Guardians of the Deep is a beautiful indie debut, and I can’t wait to read book 2. Thank you so much to Blake Martinez for the physical ARC! If you’re a lover of Harry Potter, YA fantasy, mermaids, magical schools, and marine biology, definitely add this one to your TBR!
In all seriousness, I loved this book! First off, the world the author created is so immersive, and the imagery is beyond beautiful! The target audience of this book is young teens, but adults will absolutely still enjoy it. Some pretty heavy hitting topics are explored in this book- mental health, bullying, the feeling of not fitting in, and not being good enough. Luana’s journey both broke my heart at times and also uplifted and inspired me at others. I could really relate to her as I have struggled with anxiety and a lack of confidence myself, especially as a teenager. I love that Luana found her people in this book. The way Skye inspired her and pushed her in all the right ways was so heartwarming to watch. I also thought that the other side characters in this book were so fun and well developed!
The author, Blake, is not only a shark safety diver, but also a science writer! One thing that makes this book so special is that while it is a fantasy world, it includes accurate information about sea life and diving. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more the ocean and the creatures in it. Blake’s expertise really came into play when it came time for Luana to try to bond with her Defender. I absolutely loved watching them connect, it was so touching and heartwarming. The end of this book definitely had me tearing up. Luana’s journey is just beginning, and I’m so excited to see where it takes her next.
Guardians of the Deep is a beautiful indie debut, and I can’t wait to read book 2. Thank you so much to Blake Martinez for the physical ARC! If you’re a lover of Harry Potter, YA fantasy, mermaids, magical schools, and marine biology, definitely add this one to your TBR!
November 7, 2025
Wow! What an awe-inspiring ride this book took me on. I enjoyed learning about so many different sea animals and ocean facts that unfolded naturally as the story’s adventure soared forward. As an adult, I love reading young adult fiction, too. This book has so many important layers of lesson for readers in how to build friendship, cope with anxiety, pursue one’s passions, and care for the ocean that is critical for our planet’s survival and the teeming lives within it.
November 27, 2025
Luana, her brother Ayman, and friends Skye and Ronan introduce us to a magical training school for teens under the sea, like a cross of Hogwarts and The Little Mermaid. Luana and Ayman are some of the few humans who enter the training program, which teaches enrollees how to protect ocean species (some real, some mythical, and some newly imagined by Blake). Join Luana as she discovers the magic of the ocean, and herself, by navigating a world where she thinks she doesn't below.
Blake brings her expertise in science writing and passion for the ocean to a junior high audience through Luana's journey. Her experience as a tiger shark saftey expert and ability for deep research shines in an engaging way to introduce her readers to both the fictional and real worlds under the sea.
Blake brings her expertise in science writing and passion for the ocean to a junior high audience through Luana's journey. Her experience as a tiger shark saftey expert and ability for deep research shines in an engaging way to introduce her readers to both the fictional and real worlds under the sea.
November 10, 2025
If you’ve ever wished you could swim out to sea and never return, this one is for you! I enjoyed this book and the underwater world within it so much, I only wish it was around when I was a younger girl. The female lead is incredibly relatable and a role model my younger self could have really used. 10/10 recommend for all the young ladies and ocean lovers in your life!
December 2, 2025
This book is amazing! Very interesting and exciting! The author takes you in the coolest adventure to a magical school underwater! Not only is the story so great and fun, the story centers around shark and sea life conservation! I really enjoyed it so much!
January 1, 2026
Awesome book! Can’t wait for the next one! If you love the ocean and its creatures (even mythical ones), then you’ve gotta read this.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews