Beyond the Deep

Mermaid Academy, Book 1

By: Trevor Darby

Narrated by: Ashley Music

Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Serina knows that Humans are horrible....

…but then she meets one.

Will she tell the Headmistress that she talked with a Human?

As the last mermaid in her class with still blond hair, Serina desperately wants her hair to change. She wouldn’t even care if it turned green. If it doesn’t change soon, she will be kicked out of the Academy forever.

When Serina goes too far in her efforts to fit in....

…she finds out who her real friends are and which Mer are out to get her.

In a world where Mer and Humans are at war, can Serina find a way to convince them all that a greater danger lurks in the depths. Serina doesn’t believe she can do it alone, because she doesn’t have the power of a red-haired warrior.

Will she be able to save her friends?

Will the Kingdom of Coral Reef survive?

You will love this YA fantasy because Trevor Darby creates a magical underwater world with heroic characters and real dangers.

Get it now.

©2020 Trevor Darby (P)2020 Trevor Darby

Tweener Merchildren

This is a very good book for young readers (which I am not). The "Kids" make a lot of bad decisions, which 12-13-year-olds tend to do, Merfolk or not. But, they all have good intentions and try to do the right thing. So, I recommend for younger readers, say up to 16, and believe they will appreciate the action and suspense. I received a copy for free and I'm reviewing it voluntarily.

YOUR TRUE SELF WILL COME OUT WHEN NEEDED

I received this audio book for free and am giving my honest and voluntary review.

Serina is a twelve-year old mermaid who is waiting for her hair to change color in order for her to know her true calling. Her mother and grandmother have green hair, designating them as healers. Serina wants red hair, designating a warrior. She is accepted into the Academy and saves a human, before her hair changes.

The author showed how bullying, prejudice, and privilege play a part in anyone’s life. I loved the way the author brought out Serina’s finally finding herself and her status calling. This book dealt with pre-teen angst.

The narration was wonderful. I enjoyed the way the narrator was able to change her voice for everyone to know who was speaking.

Magical Mermaid Adventure

Trevor Darby has created a magical world where mermaids and mermen exist but they don't get along with humans. In the Mer's world, a Mer person's hair must change color by the time the individual turns thirteen or they become outcasts from their society. Serina is twelve years old and so far her hair has not changed color. While wrestling with this problem, Serina goes swimming alone, when she comes into contact with a human boy. She speaks to him, but because this is unacceptable behavior for Mer people, Serina feels that she must hide the fact that she has spoken to a human. Passing an exam, Serina is accepted into the Mer Academy and since her hair hasn't changed color, she is always trying to prove that she belongs there. This is Serina's story; it is about her hopes and fears, failures and accomplishments. A thoroughly enjoyable tale that I recommend to all ages in spite of it being listed as a YA fantasy. Ashley Music's narration is fine. I was given a free copy of the audiobook and I have voluntarily left this review.

great audio. poor story.

The audio performance is great and i have no issues with it but the story is aweful. The first half of the story we are painfully reminded how much the main character hates her self. i almost couldn't finish this book because of it.

Then the main character makes a mature choice early on and then acted completely opposite. we are constantly reminded of the hair color. Later on there was a passage about the main character not showing "emotion" this is a bold oversight.

The ending turned out well except the very self lying last line. "i always knew I was...." This was tacked on and not a single time was this confidence there. The main charachter suddenly acting different. I'm sorry but the main characters is broken in a bad way.

excellent start to a new series

I found this to be a really fun listen, even though it is definitely geared towards middle school students. The narrator was a good fit for the audio, although I had to listen to her at faster than normal speeds--otherwise, it felt too slow. But that's pretty common for audiobooks for me, so that was not a negative. There were a couple of times when the sound quality changed between chapters, but it did not take away my enjoyment of the story, as I became more and more invested in what would happen to Serina. I can definitely see some of my younger students enjoying this story, but even some of my older students who like fantasy and a strong heroine would love this. There were times when I just wanted to sit Serina down and tell her that she was hung up on the wrong things, but upon reflection, I think the thoughts that ran through her head are very realistic for her age, and also very consistent for someone who is being bullied. This was a great story about overcoming not just the negative voices from outside, but also especially the negative inner voices so that you can truly become who you are meant to be. I also loved all the details the author put into building up this world--there were times I wished I could put on some Scuba gear and go visit! Or even better, I wanted to ride a dolphin! This was a really fun read and I will be recommending this to my students!

Enjoyable

Beyond the Deep: Mermaid Academy, Book 1, my fifth read/listen from author Trevor Darby. -hour -minute/249-pages. The first of a tw0 book Mythical Creatures Fantasy series, the story-line quickly gets better & better drawing the reader deeper & deeper. Narrator Ashley Music’s narration adds to the book’s enjoyment. I have to admit to speeding up the playback the story was so enthralling. I was given an Audible copy of this book & am voluntarily reviewing it. I’ll be reading more from this author and in this series, in fact next up is Pirate Queen Mermaid Academy, Book Two. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018)

great book for a teen girl.

interesting story line. adolescents breaking the rules trying to find out where they fit in the big wide world. some of the book will drive a parent crazy with how accurate the mindset of an almost teenage girl thinks. young audiences will love this book .

Beyond the Deep

I loved this story and can’t wait to listen to the next installment. The story is fresh and intriguing with a bit of suspense, mystery, and adventure! The character development is fantastic ant the narrator brings them all to life! She has a wonderful, expressive, and pleasing voice!

I wasn’t the right audience for this one

I was provided this audiobook for free in exchange for an unbiased review. That said, I simply am not interested in a book about a tweenie starting the Merfolk Academy. The story was well written and the narrator did a great job. I was just not the right audience for this audiobook.