Deep Blue Quotes

“Whatever you do or dream you can do—begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue

“We never know who we are... until we're tested”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue

“Daughter of Merrow, leave your sleep,

The ways of childhood no more to keep.

The dream will die, a nightmare rise,

Sleep no more, child, open your eyes...


Daughter of Merrow, chosen one,

The end begins, your time has come.

The sands run out, our spell unwinds,

Inch by inch, our chant unbinds...


Daughter of Merrow, find the five

Brave enough to keep hope alive.

One whose heart will hold the light,

One possessed of a prophet’s sight.

One who does not yet believe,

Thus has no choice but to deceive.

One with spirit sure and strong,

One who sings all creatures’ songs.

Together find the talismans

Belonging to the six who ruled,

Hidden under treacherous waters

After light and darkness dueled.

These pieces must not be united,

Not in anger, greed, or rage.

They were scattered by brave Merrow,

Lest they unlock destruction’s cage.

Come to us from seas and rivers,

Become one mind, one heart, one bond.

Before the waters, and all creatures in them,

Are laid to waste by Abbadon!”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue

“Help the others believe, Serafina. Help Ling believe she can break through the silences. Help Neela believe her greatest power comes from within, not without. Help Becca believe the warmest fire is the one that's shared. Help Ava believe the gods did know what they were doing. That's what a leader does—she inspires other to believe in themselves.”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue

“My choice", he'd whispered, taking her hand. "Mine. Not theirs.”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue

“One is not born knowing how to lead, one learns.”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue

“Thousands of musical voices, like rain on water, beckoned.”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue

“Tell Crabby Abby he’s going to sit on the naughty chair if he sinks one more island,” Astrid said, catching her ball.”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue

“You fear you will fail at the very thing you were born for. And your fear torments you...instead of shunning your fear, you must let it speak and listen carefully to what it's trying to tell you. It will give you good counsel.”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue

“Good leaders know when to follow rules and when to break them.”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue

“Serafina, Ava, Ling, and Becca swam inside. Neela followed them, but at the very last second, shield. “I can’t,” she said. “Once I go in, there’s no way out again. This is real. You’re real. All this time, a part of me was hoping you were only a dream.”

The witch cocked her head. “Only a dream?” she said mockingly. “Long ago, a great mage dreamed of stealing the gods’ powers. Abbadon was born of that dream. Atlantis died because of it. Now, because of a new dreamer, all the waters of the world may fall. There is nothing more real than a dream.” She nodded at the waters behind Neela. Silt was rising in the distance, a great deal of it. “The merman Traho knows this. He’s coming. If you do not believe me, perhaps he can convince you.”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue

“For the first time in her life, she didn't look like royalty. She looked fierce, edgy, and troublesome. A merl not to be messed with.
And she liked it.”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue

“Never before have six direct descendants been of the same age at the same time - just as the original six were. - Vraja”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue

“Serafina slid the ring off her finger… "You belong to another Sera, not me," she whispered.”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue

“The humans? It can’t be. We have protective songspells against them. We’ve had them since the mer were created, four thousand years ago. They can’t touch us. They’ve never been able to touch us,” Serafina said.”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue

“I know why this place creeps me out," Neela suddenly said. "There aren't any children here."
"Of course there aren't," Josephine said. "Rorrim Drol hates children."
"Why?" Neela asked.
"Because they're strong and fearless. Their little backbones are made of steel. It takes years for them to soften. Fear only sets in as one grows up, you see.”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue

“There are reasons," she said. "If you knew… if I could tell you…" Her hands, resting on top of the table, knotted into fists. Her long blond hair, pale as moonlight, swirled around her shoulders. Her ice-blue eyes sought Serafina's. In them, Serafina could see a yearning to talk, to share what was troubling her.”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue

“The Six Who Ruled live inside each of you. - Vraja”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue

“Sunlight filtered through the glass panes from the waters above, waking the feathery tube worms clustered around the room. They burst into bloom, daubing the walls yellow, cobalt blue, and magenta. The golden rays warmed fronds of seaweed anchored to the floor. They shimmered in the glass of a tall gilt mirror and glinted off the polished coral walls. A”
― Jennifer Donnelly, Deep Blue