Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea

Hazel Bly and her family move from town to town, never settling for more than a few months. When they arrive in Rose Harbor, Maine, Hazel senses a wildness and meets Lemon, a daughter her age who looks like her. Hazel becomes obsessed with the Rose Maid, a local myth about a girl who turned into a mermaid. She discovers that grief can change you and that you can emerge from the darkness stronger than before.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2021
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company

Hazel Bly once had the perfect family. However, everything changed when a kayaking trip went horribly wrong, resulting in the sudden and permanent loss of her mother. Left with a jagged scar on her face, Hazel, along with her other mother, Mama, and her younger sister Peach, needed a fresh start. For the past two years, the Bly girls have been on the move, traveling from town to town, never settling in one place for more than a few months. With Peach eagerly embracing every adventure and Mama still deeply mourning the loss of her wife, Hazel assumed the responsibility of keeping her family safe.

However, their journey took them to the town of Rose Harbor, Maine, a small fog-draped beach town adorned with roses and rocks. Hazel sensed a mysterious and enchanting aura in this place, as if it held some kind of magic. Moreover, when Mama reconnected with an old childhood friend named Claire, Hazel's world was further infiltrated. To make matters worse, Claire had a daughter, Lemon, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Hazel. Lemon couldn't stop staring at Hazel, taking photos with her instant camera, and rambling on about the Rose Maid, a local myth that dated back a hundred and fifty years. According to the legend, a young girl had been so deeply heartbroken that she transformed into a mermaid and had been lurking in the harbor ever since.

Intrigued by Lemon's fascination with the Rose Maid, Hazel delved deeper into her world, one filled with lore, mermaid quests, and the eerie story of the Rose Maid, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Hazel. As Hazel became more and more engrossed in the tale, she found herself developing an obsession with the Rose Maid, much like Lemon. What if magic were real? What if Hazel could step into the ocean without fear? What if grief could alter a person so profoundly that they no longer recognized themselves? What if, instead of succumbing to darkness, they emerged stronger than before? These questions consumed Hazel's thoughts, and she couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to this world than what met the eye.

As the days passed, Hazel's fascination with the Rose Maid grew stronger. She spent hours researching the legend, reading books, and talking to locals who claimed to have seen the mermaid in the harbor. Hazel even went on a solo kayak trip, hoping to catch a glimpse of the mythical creature. However, despite her best efforts, Hazel never saw the Rose Maid. Nevertheless, the more she immersed herself in the story, the more she felt a connection to the mermaid. She began to see herself as the Rose Maid, as if the mermaid's spirit was inhabiting her body.

One night, as Hazel sat by the ocean, watching the waves crashing against the rocks, she heard a voice calling her name. It was the voice of the Rose Maid, and it was beckoning her to come closer. Hazel felt a surge of fear and hesitation, but she couldn't resist the call. She stepped into the ocean, feeling the water's cold embrace surround her. As she swam deeper and deeper, she felt a sense of lightness and freedom that she had never experienced before. The Rose Maid appeared before her, her shimmering tail gliding through the water. Hazel reached out to touch the mermaid, and as her hand made contact, she felt a surge of energy coursing through her body.

From that day on, Hazel's life changed forever. She no longer felt the weight of grief and loss that had been burdening her for years. She felt alive and vibrant, as if the Rose Maid's spirit had given her a new lease on life. Hazel continued to explore the ocean, diving deeper and deeper into its mysteries. She met other mermaids and sea creatures, and she learned about their way of life and their ancient wisdom. Hazel also became an advocate for protecting the ocean and its inhabitants, using her newfound knowledge and passion to raise awareness about the importance of conservation.

Years passed, and Hazel grew old. She knew that her time on earth was coming to an end, but she was content with the life she had lived. She had found purpose and meaning in her obsession with the Rose Maid, and she had made a difference in the world. As Hazel closed her eyes for the final time, she felt a sense of peace and contentment, knowing that the Rose Maid would always be with her, guiding her through the ocean and beyond.

In conclusion, Hazel Bly's journey from a perfect family to a life filled with grief and uncertainty was a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Through her obsession with the Rose Maid, Hazel found a way to overcome her pain and emerge stronger than before. Her story reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of finding light and hope. The ocean, with its vastness and mystery, holds the power to heal and transform, and Hazel's journey serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and protecting this precious resource.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 143 x 202 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780316535458