Review: Rogue Wave

Rogue Wave
Author: Jennifer Donnelly
Publication Date: January 6th 2015         
Publisher: Hodder Childrens
~A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review~

In this exciting sequel to DEEP BLUE, Serafina uncovers more clues about the talismans, Neela ventures into a sea dragon's nest, and Ling learns the identity of their foe.

Serafina, Neela, Ling, Ava, Becca, and Astrid, six mermaids from realms scattered throughout the seas and freshwaters, were summoned by the leader of the river witches to learn an incredible truth: the mermaids are direct descendants of the Six Who Ruled-powerful mages who once governed the lost empire of Atlantis. The ancient evil that destroyed Atlantis is stirring again, and only the mermaids can defeat it. To do so, they need to find magical talismans that belonged to the Six.

Serafina believes her talisman was buried with an old shipwreck. While researching its location, she is almost discovered by a death rider patrol led by someone familiar. . . . The pain of seeing him turned traitor is devastating.

Neela travels to Matali to warn her parents of the grave threat facing their world. But they find her story outlandish; a sign that she needs to be confined to her chamber for rest and recovery. She escapes and travels to Kandina, where her talisman is in the possession of fearsome razormouth dragons.

As they hunt for their talismans, both Serafina and Neela find reserves of courage and cunning they didn't know they possessed. They face down danger and death, only to endure a game-changing betrayal, as shocking as a rogue wave.

What I loved about Deep Blue was the setting of the underwater world, how detailed and different it was, from the different parts of the sea reflect some of our countries right down to the vivid descriptions and even the food. How it wasn't centred around romance and was more about friendship bonds and all the girl  Merl power, and what a good impression that made, the banter, the one liners. And the fish puns. How it reads more to a younger YA audience and the fact  that I still liked it. The only trouble I had with Deep Blue was that I was confused a lot of the time and it was quite overwhelming.

Unfortunately, I didn't like Rogue Wave as much, don't get me wrong, it was good, I liked it, but for some of the reasons I loved Deep Blue, was what I missed in Rogue Wave. The world is great, the descriptions are great, you still have the vividness, that side was great. But, I missed the banter between the characters, I missed the girl power feeling, and the plot. Leaving where Deep Blue left off, the characters are separated and only communicate now and then, while they're off on their own separate mission,  but it moved slowly with the direction it took.

Rogue Wave felt a lot of series' feel when it comes to the second book, a filler. Not much happened until towards the end, and I got a little bored up until the obstacles happened. The romance was more present in this one too, which isn't a bad thing because it didn't entirely take over the story, but it is an important part of the plot, which is where I felt a little manipulated, but it does set up the next one nicely and I'm not that bothered about it since the romance is not what I'm invested in this series. Again, like I was with Deep Blue, I was confused when it comes to relations and names and was still overwhelming whereas I would've thought I'd have gotten into it by now (but that's just me).

I loved seeing the stronger side of Sera that we saw towards the end of Deep Blue, she's adapted, she's sorry for what she's lost but she's more focused on what she has to do than pitying herself like she did in the beginning of Deep Blue. Neela! We don't get to see her as much, but she really surprised me in Rogue Wave, and there are a few other surprises that sneaked in.

Rogue Wave wasn't what I was expecting, in some ways good, in others a little disappointing, but I still enjoyed it, the underwater world, the twists, the subtle romance, and can't wait for it to step up the action in the next in the Waterfire Saga.

Rating: 3.5/5