Cerulean

One Thousand Blues

By: Anna Kyss

Narrated by: Melissa Moran

Length: 3 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

One hundred years ago, people were forced to retreat to the seas...

Chey's ocean home seems lovely on the outside, with its rainbow-hued reefs and soul-tingling Whale-song, but the beauty hides secrets and despair.

One thousand blues can be too many…Some people cannot live amid them all. After losing her parents and best friend, Chey would do anything to fight off the apathy that threatens her: swim in a brood of jellies, break her sector's rules, and even breach the Surface. A forbidden encounter sets Chey on a desperate search for a way to save her people... and herself. One question plagues her. Can she survive long enough to find a cure?

©2012 Anna Kyss (P)2014 Anna Kyss

Awesome story

If you could sum up Cerulean in three words, what would they be?

Fantasy, Sea, New World

Which character – as performed by Melissa Moran – was your favorite?

Chey was my favorite but she did a great job with all the characters.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes it was

Any additional comments?

Wasn't sure what to expect from this book but took a chance as I love the authors other two books. Boy am I glad I did I loved this story and hope she continues with this series as it's has really intrigued me with how she has made this world.
If you like science fiction and young adult books you will love this story.

Intriguing YA, ends abruptly

What a surprisingly unique read. This book might seem like a modern take on The Little Mermaid, but it is so much more. Really beautifully crafted world that held me enthralled from beginning to end. It is a touch of fantasy mixed with post apocalypse/dystopian themes. Very creative.

I had a little trouble deciphering if this was a Young Adult or New Adult read. I do not recall hearing the exact age of the main character for quite some time. That is one of those defining details that I depend upon as a reader. It is in fact Young Adult, thankfully the main character is not angsty!

The narrative is all first person, not a big issue for me, I find when listening to a book this is not as annoying as reading for myself. But I know there are many out there who do not enjoy first person reads at all. Personally, it depends on how well it is done, this story flowed and I actually had to go back and check on the tense.

Chey is a very interesting character. She is fighting the blues, but does not get overly emotional or angsty. She is curious and eager to learn about everything, I enjoyed her reactions to her ocean surroundings and the land. Her enthusiasm makes her more engaging.

The supporting cast is intriguing and diverse. I wish there were more interactions with the sea creatures. They were an element of the books I really enjoyed. Imagine being able to speak their language!

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Melissa Moran, who does a lovely job. She has a perky voice that really suits the story and the main character. She has a quick pace that really keeps the story moving. I will definitely look for more of her reads.

Overall, this was a very entertaining read, it just ends abruptly. I could not find if it is the start of a series. I hope it is because there is so much left open. Very nice start to a promising series!

Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

Things that make you go hmmm

Any additional comments?

Great story for young adults to get them thinking about the importance of lasting friendships and the power of forgiveness.

Cerulean: Great story with talented narrator

Would you consider the audio edition of Cerulean to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print edition of this book but I think the audio enhances the story by establishing I great pacing for the characters and events

What did you like best about this story?

Cerulean has affinity to the audio format. The story has a good pace and intrinsic rhythm which is fantastic for the audio. This audio seemed short to me. While listening to Cerulean I was immerse in the story.I have to confess that I was truly surprise with the evolution of the story. At first I thought it was about mermaids but it evolves into something new. The main character lives in a totalitarian society where she feels constrained by lack of choices and diversity on her life. Chey is a young girl with many questions. That is why she ends finding answers that change life as she knows it.

What about Melissa Moran’s performance did you like?

Cerulean is narrated by Melissa Moran. This narrator has a beautiful voice, perfect for this audiobook. The narration is single voiced and Moran is a skillful narrator. To help the listener differentiate genders, she changes her voice tone. Melissa Moran provides momentum to this audio by giving a strong voice to the main character. She translated the emotions of the characters depicted by author Anna Kiss into the audio, which is great.

Any additional comments?

Recently I have been disappointed with some audiobooks, So, it has been a pleasure to find a good audio. Audiobooks are deeply affected by their narrator’s performance. Melissa Moran puts a lot of effort on this audio performance. She maintains an adequate pace and the plot flows without unnecessary interruptions. The sound quality in Cerulean is really good and this is a factor that completes the delightful experience of listening to Cerulean.

Great YA Tale

Would you consider the audio edition of Cerulean to be better than the print version?

I have never read the print edition. But I will say that the audiobook edition was fantastic

What did you like best about this story?

The world building, story and all of the characters

Which scene was your favorite?

When Chey discovers the world above and the secrets

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The reunion, but I do not want to give too much information for those who has not listened to the story yet.

Any additional comments?

The story is well told, well narrated and a must listen.

Original Dystopian Story Set Under the Sea

Any additional comments?

Cerulean is a truly original dystopia story. It is set under the sea, where humans took refuge after a horrible world war made the Earth's surface uninhabitable. Humans are implanted with gills at birth and are paired with dolphins for companionship.

The story centers on Chey, who recently lost her best friend and her parents to the sickness that plagues too many who live under the sea. Becoming increasingly restless, much like the Little Mermaid who wanted to explore the land above, Chey soon meets Jesse and the Captain who live above the water on an island.

Anna Kyss has a gift for writing interesting stories that develop over several chapters. I enjoy not being told everything in the first chapter. However, even though the beginning started wonderfully, I felt like the last few chapters were rushed and unfinished. I also felt the story ended abruptly with several unanswered questions. How is Chey going to reveal to those living underwater that it is now safe to live above sea level? What is the significance of Chey being able to talk to whales? What is Jesse’s back-story and why is he helping the Captain save those that escape from the underwater cities? I can’t help but get the feeling that these questions will be revealed in a sequel, if not a trilogy.

Melissa Moran did a good job narrating. She has different voices for the different characters and she did more than merely read the text. I’d listen to other books that she’s narrated without question.