The Savage Blue

July 1, 2013

Gr 9 Up-In this sequel to The Vicious Deep (Sourcebooks, 2012), merman Tristan Hart continues his quest for the pieces of his grandfather's trident. As he and his friends travel from New York City to Vanishing Cove and back in search of the oracle that holds the next missing piece, they face many dangers-most of them sent by the sea witch Nieve. Her army of merrows, sharklike creatures, threatens not only Tristan and his friends, but also Tristan's beloved Coney Island and all of New York City if they are not stopped. The teen is still not sure he even wants to follow in the Sea King's footsteps, but he doesn't have much of a choice about fighting Nieve, and the trident may be the only thing that can stop her-if she doesn't get her hands on it first. This fast-paced read will appeal to Percy Jackson fans who are now older teens; there is plenty of adventure, plus a helping of relationship drama and a sprinkling of humor. While the writing can be choppy and disjointed, readers are unlikely to mind too much, as the page-turning action is sure to keep them on the edge of their seats. The cliff-hanger ending will leave them clamoring for the next installment.-Misti Tidman, Licking County Library, Newark, OH

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2013
Grades 9-12 There are only six days and seven nights before the duel in Toliss, when one of four finalists will be crowned King of the Sea. The good news is that Tristan, only a merman for the past two weeks and one of the contenders, found a piece of the magic trident at the conclusion of The Vicious Deep (2012). But as he and his friends, sea creatures and foot-fins alike, seek the remaining two parts of the trident, dark forces are gaining ground (and, yes, that includes the evil silver mermaid). Once again Tristan's cocky, dudelike voice feels authentic, and the cliff-hanger ending leaves readers anticipating the next clash of sand and sea. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)