169 books
—
243 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Shearwater (Ocean Depths, #1)” as Want to Read:
Shearwater
(Ocean Depths #1)
by
"I watched the colored lights and sparkles coming off of Sebastian in the dark water, as the ocean began the process of rebuilding his tail. I longed to join him in the water, to wrap my arms around him and let him carry me under the sea; but I wasn’t ready. For him, the ocean was a home; for me it was death. Without being able to transform, the ocean depths would suffocat
...more
Kindle Edition, 261 pages
Published
January 26th 2016
by Urban Epics
(first published January 19th 2016)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Shearwater,
please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
This question contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
Derek Murphy
It does, actually... but it's one of the big reveals coming in part two... :)
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
I received this digital copy from Urban Epics via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of this book in any way.
Actual rating: 3.5
Obligatory Summary
Clara Clark (whose name makes her sound like a comic book character) is a 15 year old who self describes herself like this:
TL;DR she is ~so unique~
So ...more
Actual rating: 3.5
Obligatory Summary
Clara Clark (whose name makes her sound like a comic book character) is a 15 year old who self describes herself like this:
I have a dark sense of humor that few people get, and a passive-aggressive sarcasm that comes from having an overbearing mother and a fear of any kind of conflict.
TL;DR she is ~so unique~
So ...more
2.5 stars
Mermaids, Irish Folklore, Magical Arts, Teen Drama and Ireland. How could I not give this book a shot ? I'm glad I did, I see an author to watch here. There were flaws, but there was something alluring too. The story was interesting, the beginning started strong, with mysterious events, people, magic and a new location. The author spent a lot of time researching and detailing mythological stories to give us a history behind the beings involved. The imagery was well written and easily vi ...more
Mermaids, Irish Folklore, Magical Arts, Teen Drama and Ireland. How could I not give this book a shot ? I'm glad I did, I see an author to watch here. There were flaws, but there was something alluring too. The story was interesting, the beginning started strong, with mysterious events, people, magic and a new location. The author spent a lot of time researching and detailing mythological stories to give us a history behind the beings involved. The imagery was well written and easily vi ...more
I found this book to be enchanting. The author wrote this story very well with lots of research. The mythology of the mermaids was so interesting! The world building was amazing and captivating. The main character, Clara Clark, was very relatable and believable. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series!
Clara is a sophomore in high school and has the lead role in the school play. She's very antsy because her parents aren't there yet and they're never late. She realizes they ...more
Clara is a sophomore in high school and has the lead role in the school play. She's very antsy because her parents aren't there yet and they're never late. She realizes they ...more
Jun 19, 2017
Lynndell
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
advanced-reading-copy,
asked-to-blog,
author-request,
fantasy,
kindle-book,
mythology,
suspense
I thoroughly enjoyed Shearwater by Derek Murphy. The book opens with an intense prologue of a woman being stabbed by a man and then she grabs the knife and stabs him. Then they both plunge off the cliff and into the water. The first chapter jumps to thirty two years later and the main character, Clara Clark, is waiting for her parents to show up and watch her perform at her high school. While she's singing, police show up to tell her that her parents perished in a car accident. Her mother's will
...more
When I began the book I was sucked right into it: there were strong characters, Ireland, fomoris and Tuatas De... But then, when I was at Part 2, it seemed like nothing happened. I mean, there was some action (basically siren attacks) but the plot kept stalling and repeating the same: sirens wanting to kill humanity because humanity misused their blood and contaminated the oceans; Tuatas wanting to kill sirens because they are monsters. Our main character debating whether she loves Sebastian or
...more
Fantastic book! I was drawn in from the beginning and kept turning the pages until the end. I loved Clara, the main character -- she was relatable. I don't read many mermaid books, but I loved the mermaids in this series. They were unique, and I've never read anything like it before. This book is definitely great for fans of Twilight. I can't wait to see what happens in part 2!
So, I'm trying very hard to be fair.
I'm always interested in stories about Mermaids - who isn't? In that respect this book almost had something going. But with so much set-up time where nothing happened, this never got to anything really interesting.
On top of that, the magical system was a bit hazy, even though there were large swaths of text devoted to it. The different groups of people were not explained well and their allegiances seemed random and capricious.
Though I did think it was interest ...more
I'm always interested in stories about Mermaids - who isn't? In that respect this book almost had something going. But with so much set-up time where nothing happened, this never got to anything really interesting.
On top of that, the magical system was a bit hazy, even though there were large swaths of text devoted to it. The different groups of people were not explained well and their allegiances seemed random and capricious.
Though I did think it was interest ...more
I wasn't expecting much but I got a really fun time out of this book!
***** 3.75 Stars *****
I love how Shearwater is about mysterious mermaids and myths. I enjoyed the story and adventure, but it was just missing something. I didn't love the characters and I thought certain things could have been elaborated.
Will I read the next book in the series? Probably.
I love how Shearwater is about mysterious mermaids and myths. I enjoyed the story and adventure, but it was just missing something. I didn't love the characters and I thought certain things could have been elaborated.
Will I read the next book in the series? Probably.
This was not my favorite book, but it is only the first part so, who knows, the story may pick up.
First off, I would just like to say that while I like where the plot is going, it felt WAY too much like Twilight for me. There were so many examples that I had to mark down in my copy of things that felt like they were taken directly from the Twilight universe.
Twilight crossovers:
-Girl leaves home (Arizona. Who else is from Arizona? Oh, yeah. Bella Swan) and moves to a completely different area
- ...more
First off, I would just like to say that while I like where the plot is going, it felt WAY too much like Twilight for me. There were so many examples that I had to mark down in my copy of things that felt like they were taken directly from the Twilight universe.
Twilight crossovers:
-Girl leaves home (Arizona. Who else is from Arizona? Oh, yeah. Bella Swan) and moves to a completely different area
- ...more
Jan 16, 2016
Kristen Burns
added it
*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
This was an enjoyable read with an original take on merfolk that I've never seen before. I loved how the author took aspects from various different undersea creatures and combined them in unique ways. The mythology and history surrounding the merfolk (or merrow) and the location was fun to learn about too.
I also thought Clara made a great protagonist. She seemed realistically a teenager without being annoying or immature, and I ...more
This was an enjoyable read with an original take on merfolk that I've never seen before. I loved how the author took aspects from various different undersea creatures and combined them in unique ways. The mythology and history surrounding the merfolk (or merrow) and the location was fun to learn about too.
I also thought Clara made a great protagonist. She seemed realistically a teenager without being annoying or immature, and I ...more
Shearwater is a Paranormal Fantasy novel that will appeal to lovers of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, witches, mermaids, mythology, and paranormal horror.
My rating,
Awesome or nah: ★★★★★
( 5 Merrows out of 5)
-----
Shearwater really allowed me to embrace the different emotions (of Clara) of grief, happiness and newness. There is enough mystery in this book to keep you keen but not make you confused. The prologue in Shearwater drew me to the characters and into the story.
Even though I'm not reall ...more
My rating,
Awesome or nah: ★★★★★
( 5 Merrows out of 5)
-----
Shearwater really allowed me to embrace the different emotions (of Clara) of grief, happiness and newness. There is enough mystery in this book to keep you keen but not make you confused. The prologue in Shearwater drew me to the characters and into the story.
Even though I'm not reall ...more
Overall I enjoyed this story. It was interesting learning about both sides. I'm interested in seeing how things will go in the next book. I was also happy that Sebastian and Clara were together in the end.
I wasn't sure what I was going I rate this at first. I read the first half of the book fairly quickly, but the second half seemed to drag with lots of explanation. But reading in the Note to the Reader helped put a perspective on the book.
This book is the first part of the book 1, so it makes sense that the last half of this book seemed to be filled with explanation. The second half of the first book promises to be filled with life-shattering events (D.S. Murphy's words from his author's note). ...more
This book is the first part of the book 1, so it makes sense that the last half of this book seemed to be filled with explanation. The second half of the first book promises to be filled with life-shattering events (D.S. Murphy's words from his author's note). ...more
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this lovely mermaid fantasy novel, it is very well written full of the beautiful Irish landscape and seascapes, and more importantly full of Irish lore which deals with the Tautha de Danann, the Fomorians and the Marrow/mermaid lore. Apart from all this we get to meet the heroine Clara who prior to her parents untimely death in the USA she did not even know that she had kin in Ireland but she is shipped off to her next of kin who happens to be her grandfather and who l
...more
What a beautiful book dipped in Irish mythology and a great twist on mermaids, but its the authors way of writing it is so beautiful it covers loss self questioning and having to grow up quickly.
The main story is about Clara after having lost her parents moves in with a grandfather she never knew existed to a life and roots she never knew she had ( mermaids).
I will definitely be reading next book, and more works by this author incredible, i also love how there is a romance but it doesn't take a ...more
The main story is about Clara after having lost her parents moves in with a grandfather she never knew existed to a life and roots she never knew she had ( mermaids).
I will definitely be reading next book, and more works by this author incredible, i also love how there is a romance but it doesn't take a ...more
I love mermaids. I’ve aways loved them. When I was a kid, my favourite Disney princess was Ariel. Hands down, The Little Mermaid was my favourite movie. I really don’t know what it was about mermaids that drew me in. I guess I was always drawn to the magical feeling of being able to explore the sea and live in a castle underwater and to play in shipwrecks. Funny how I’m now deathly afraid of the ocean huh?
And yes I am now listening to The Little Mermaid soundtrack. Don’t judge.
But anyway, I thin ...more
And yes I am now listening to The Little Mermaid soundtrack. Don’t judge.
But anyway, I thin ...more
'Shearwater: Part One' by Derek Murphy is a tale of teenage drama, centered around mysteries of the past and mermaids. There is also quite a bit of contemporary high school drama mixed in, which is what I tend to gravitate toward in a young adult novel.
Cara Blake, main character, finds herself thrown headfirst into a new life when her parents are killed in a car crash very early on in the novel. Even though she'd rather live with her best friend's family in America, she is told that her grandfa ...more
Cara Blake, main character, finds herself thrown headfirst into a new life when her parents are killed in a car crash very early on in the novel. Even though she'd rather live with her best friend's family in America, she is told that her grandfa ...more
3.5 stars.
A fantasy YA novel with pretty mermaid warriors. How could I say no? To say that I was excited for this book would be an understatement. I was a bit hesitant when I found out it was the author's first novel, but I definitely didn't need to worry.
Music student Clara is performing on stage the day her world gets turned upside down- the day of the accident. In a blur of police uniforms and pitying faces, she learns about her parents' death and is torn away from everything she knows as she ...more
A fantasy YA novel with pretty mermaid warriors. How could I say no? To say that I was excited for this book would be an understatement. I was a bit hesitant when I found out it was the author's first novel, but I definitely didn't need to worry.
Music student Clara is performing on stage the day her world gets turned upside down- the day of the accident. In a blur of police uniforms and pitying faces, she learns about her parents' death and is torn away from everything she knows as she ...more
When Clara loses both her parents in a tragic accident, she is sent to live in Ireland with a grandfather she never knew she had. Struggling to cope with loss and a totally new school system, she distracts herself by trying to find out more about her mother and why she left this little vacation town. But Branna Daly's secrets may be more dangerous than Clara suspects. They're reaching out to her from beyond the grave and Clara must find out what they are, if she is in danger, and if yes, and who
...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Apr 02, 2016
Donita Luz
marked it as dnf
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2016-read,
highschool,
mermaids,
meh,
my-reviews,
no-no-sorry,
romance,
ya,
young-adult,
paranormal
DNF @ 55%
I just couldn't continue reading this book. It seems like everything I hated on every paranormal book I've read lately has been combined in 1 book and was given a title Shearwater.
Let me just check my checklist...
Special Snowflake of a character
Everyone seems to love the main character - except maybe me, the reader. She can't do no wrong, I'm telling you.
Insta-love/Insta-cringe
A super hot guy appeared in town and transferred on their school, and he's so good looking and mysterious th ...more
I just couldn't continue reading this book. It seems like everything I hated on every paranormal book I've read lately has been combined in 1 book and was given a title Shearwater.
Let me just check my checklist...
Special Snowflake of a character
Everyone seems to love the main character - except maybe me, the reader. She can't do no wrong, I'm telling you.
Insta-love/Insta-cringe
A super hot guy appeared in town and transferred on their school, and he's so good looking and mysterious th ...more
Shearwater is the story of Clara Clark and how she became a stereotypical young adult female protagonist.
I mean, how she found out she was a mermaid. Or something.
While it wasn't awful by any means, there was nothing unique or interesting about this book either (and somewhere on here there's a review about how the writer literally lifted the folklore descriptions off of Wikipedia instead of, I dunno, writing it in his own words like we're taught in school, so there's that). It pretty much cont ...more
I mean, how she found out she was a mermaid. Or something.
While it wasn't awful by any means, there was nothing unique or interesting about this book either (and somewhere on here there's a review about how the writer literally lifted the folklore descriptions off of Wikipedia instead of, I dunno, writing it in his own words like we're taught in school, so there's that). It pretty much cont ...more
Well written, interesting, and well-paced coming of age story. This story will carry you along as Clara discovers a fantastic new world. The setting and character make this a fascinating world to follow. The elements of fantasy and imagination makes for a good read. Try it, you'll enjoy it.
Totally different regarding mermaids. Mermen as well, really cool. Loved every bit. She has her work cut out for her, can she be the one to save everyone. Quick enjoyable reading
I love the portrayal of the races and the history that is woven into this plot so skillfully. There are legitimate reasons for every single twist and turn in this story that'll have you on the edge of your seat, wanting more... Clara is the main protagonist - she is not perfect, strong and wise, but she grows and improves a lot over the course of the plot. You will want her to succeed in her quest, one she did not ask for at all.
There is romance, of course, but this is not the driving force of t ...more
There is romance, of course, but this is not the driving force of t ...more
I'm struggling to know how to review this. Firstly, I should point out I didn't buy this version, I bought the version that is actually part one of the book (for 99p). Now the full book is released, I say a word of warning for others... Just buy the full book. There are two editions. One is half a book, one is the whole thing.
Now, I'm annoyed that I bought half a book because there is nothing that annoys me more than a cliffhanger. But I was mollified by the fact Derek offers to send part two f ...more
Now, I'm annoyed that I bought half a book because there is nothing that annoys me more than a cliffhanger. But I was mollified by the fact Derek offers to send part two f ...more
(3 stars)
What I liked:
- The setting: This book was set in my hometown, my favourite place on Earth. I'm so happy that an author finally discovered the beauty of that tiny little village and brought it to live through this book. Not sure if the author had visited Portballintrae prior to writing this book, but the descriptions of the area were pretty spot-on! Also, the use of Dunluce castle being a big part of the story was absolutely wonderful! It was so refreshing to read a story set in the plac ...more
What I liked:
- The setting: This book was set in my hometown, my favourite place on Earth. I'm so happy that an author finally discovered the beauty of that tiny little village and brought it to live through this book. Not sure if the author had visited Portballintrae prior to writing this book, but the descriptions of the area were pretty spot-on! Also, the use of Dunluce castle being a big part of the story was absolutely wonderful! It was so refreshing to read a story set in the plac ...more
This story is well written with well thought out characters, plot and details. It was easy to be pulled intothe story, though much of the history sections within the story needed to be read twice for me to follow. I don't know if this was a result of fatigue, complexity, or just a case of me getting all the foreign names and words tangled. I received a free copy of this book and was extremely disappointed when the story ended at part 1. This is when I realized I'd need to purchase the FULL versi
...more
I did not want to put this book down! At first reading reviews with people comparing it to twilight my brain kept making comparisons but after a hundred pages or so it stopped! So much mystery, depth, love and history in this book! I loved the characters and their connection to the real world and to the merrow world. The love story and twist with some were amazing! The ending was so big and great but now I want the next one, like now.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NC, 7 wavers during the season.High intensity theorem | 1 | 1 | Oct 02, 2018 08:56PM | |
| Crazy for Young A...: Shearwater (Ocean Depths #1) by D.S. Murphy → Start Date: July 9, 2018 | 18 | 11 | Jul 25, 2018 06:40AM | |
| Sinopsis en Español // Synopsis in Spanish | 1 | 2 | Apr 10, 2016 08:52AM |
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“I watched the colored lights and sparkles coming off of Sebastian in the dark water, as the ocean began the process of rebuilding his tail. I longed to join him in the water, to wrap my arms around him and let him carry me under the sea; but I wasn't ready. For him, the ocean was a home; for me it was death. Without being able to transform, the ocean depths would suffocate me, the pressure collapse my bones and flesh.”
—
3 likes
“Then the room was spinning and I was hugging people, and crying—all at the same time, in a blur of warm orange lights and friendly faces and music that touched my soul. I”
—
0 likes
More quotes…
