Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea

Hazel Bly and her family move to Rose Harbor, Maine, where Hazel senses a wildness and meets an old childhood friend, Claire, with a daughter, Lemon, who is obsessed with the Rose Maid, a local myth about a girl who turned into a mermaid. Hazel becomes obsessed with the myth, wondering if magic is real and grief can change someone so much that they aren't themselves anymore.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 23 June 2022
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 disappearance 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.

However, their journey takes a turn when the family arrives in the town of Rose Harbor, Maine. Rose Harbor is a small, fog-draped beach town full of roses and rocks, and Hazel immediately senses a wildness to it that feels like magic. Moreover, when Mama runs into an old childhood friend, Claire, she introduces Hazel to her daughter, Lemon, who is Hazel's age. Lemon is incessantly rambling about the Rose Maid, a local myth that dates back a hundred and fifty years. According to the myth, a local girl was so heartbroken that she turned into a mermaid.

Hazel's curiosity is piqued, and she finds herself becoming just as obsessed with the Rose Maid as Lemon is. She wonders what if magic were real? What if grief could change a person so drastically that they no longer recognized themselves? What if, instead of succumbing to darkness, a person emerged stronger than before? These questions consume Hazel, and she becomes determined to find answers.

As Hazel delves deeper into the mystery of the Rose Maid, she discovers that there are many secrets hidden in the town. She meets a group of locals who are also fascinated by the legend, and together they begin to unravel the truth behind the myth. They discover that the Rose Maid was a young girl named Rose who was deeply in love with a sailor named Jack. However, their love was forbidden, and Rose was forced to choose between her love for Jack and her loyalty to her family.

In a tragic turn of events, Jack was lost at sea, and Rose was left heartbroken and alone. She turned to the sea, seeking solace and escape from her pain. As she swam deeper into the ocean, she became consumed by her grief and transformed into a mermaid. However, Rose was not content to live as a mermaid forever. She yearned for human contact and the chance to be reunited with Jack.

Through her research, Hazel and her friends learn that there is a way to break the curse of the Rose Maid. They must find a way to bring Rose's spirit back to the human world and reunite her with Jack. Hazel is determined to make this happen, even if it means risking her own life.

As they work towards their goal, Hazel and her friends face many challenges. They must navigate the treacherous waters of the ocean, avoid the dangers of the sea creatures that lurk beneath the surface, and confront the dark forces that are trying to keep them from achieving their mission. However, Hazel and her friends are determined to succeed, and they use their courage, strength, and love to overcome every obstacle that comes their way.

Finally, after many months of searching and sacrifice, Hazel and her friends find a way to break the curse of the Rose Maid. They bring Rose's spirit back to the human world, and she is reunited with Jack. The town of Rose Harbor is transformed, and the people are filled with joy and hope. Hazel and her friends have emerged from the darkness stronger than before, and they have learned that even in the face of tragedy, there is always the possibility of magic and transformation.

In conclusion, Hazel Bly's journey to Rose Harbor, Maine, is a testament to the power of love, courage, and determination. Through her obsession with the Rose Maid, Hazel learns to confront her grief and emerge stronger than before. She and her friends face many challenges, but they never give up, and they use their skills and resources to achieve their mission. In the end, Hazel and her friends break the curse of the Rose Maid, bringing joy and hope to the town of Rose Harbor. Their story is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of light and transformation.

Weight: 274g
Dimension: 132 x 194 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780316535472