The Sundays in Bed With… meme, hosted by Midnight Book Girl, dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning. Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today!

The Deepest Blue by Sarah Beth Durst

Well, look at me reading a book from my physical book collection! I mentioned in my May TBR that I would try to read a couple of books from my shelves. And I’m trying to keep to that.

I believe this book reads as a standalone set in the same world as the author’s The Queens of Renthia trilogy. I haven’t read the trilogy, so I’m learning as I go and it seems fairly straightforward to understand. The official synopsis (below) describes this book as part The Hunger Games. This comparison is quite evident within the 70 pages or so I’ve read so far. The main female character is 19, I believe, so technically in the New Adult age range. (And no, I don’t expect there to be any spice, which many seem to equate with NA books these days.) I have no expectations for this book and so far I’m appreciating the change of pace in that it’s easy to follow along.

About the Book

Author: Sarah Beth Durst
Series: Tales of Renthia #1
Age Category: New Adult
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Publish Date: March 19, 2019
Print Length: 368

The natural magic of the classic The Island of the Blue Dolphins meets the danger and courage of The Hunger Games in this dazzling, intricate stand-alone fantasy novel set in award-winning author Sarah Beth Durst’s beloved world of Renthia.

Life is precious and precarious on the islands of Belene. Besieged by a capricious ocean full of malicious spirits, the people of the islands seek joy where they can. Mayara, one of the island’s fearless oyster divers, has found happiness in love. But on the day of her wedding to the artist Kelo, a spirit-driven storm hits the island with deadly force.

To save her loved ones, Mayara reveals a dangerous secret: she has the power to control the spirits. When the storm ends, she is taken into custody by the queen’s soldiers and imprisoned with other women like her.

They vary in age and social status, but to many they are heroes who will aide the country or witches that will sacrifice themselves trying. No matter who they are, the women are sent to a terrifying place—an island filled with bloodthirsty nature spirits, and left without food, water, shelter, or any tools except their own instincts and magic. Whoever survives the Island of Testing will be declared heirs to the queen. But no matter if she wins or loses, Mayara knows that the life she dreamed of is gone.