Rogue Wave, Book Two of the Waterfire Saga

Publisher: Disney Publishing Worldwide

Year: 2015

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The ancient evil that destroyed Atlantis is stirring again, and only the six chosen mermaids can defeat it.

In Rogue Wave, the second book of the epic Waterfire Saga, Serfina and Neela find reserves of courage and cunning they didn’t know they possessed. They face down danger and death, only to endure a game-changing betrayal, as shocking as a rogue wave.

The Story

Serafina, Neela, Ling, Ava, Becca, and Astrid, six mermaids from realms scattered throughout the seas and freshwaters, were summoned by the leader of the river witches to learn an incredible truth: the mermaids are direct descendants of the Six Who Ruled—powerful mages who once governed the lost empire of Atlantis. The ancient evil that destroyed Atlantis is stirring again, and only the mermaids can defeat it. To do so, they need to find magical talismans that belonged to the Six.

Serafina  believes her talisman is submerged inside an old shipwreck. While researching its location, she  is almost discovered by a death rider patrol led by someone familiar….and the pain of seeing him turned traitor is devastating.

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Neela travels to Matali to warn her parents of the grave threat facing their world. But they find her story outlandish: a sign that she needs to be confined to her chamber for rest and recovery. She escapes and travels to Kandina, where her talisman is in the possession of the fearsome razormouth dragons.

As they hunt for their talismans, both Serfina and Neela find reserves of courage and cunning they didn’t know they possessed. They face down danger and death, only to endure a game-changing betrayal, as shocking as a rogue wave.

The Inspiration

In ROGUE WAVE, Serafina takes a big risk. She travels to the forbidden ruins of Atlantis to try to find out what the six talismans are, and where they might be hidden.

Atlantis lies within the Barrens of Thira – home to the bloodthirsty Opafago cannibals. Sera knows she will have to be quick and careful while in the ruins to avoid detection.

The myth of Atlantis was a huge inspiration behind the entire Waterfire Saga, and comes into play in a big way in ROGUE WAVE.

I’ve always loved the idea of a lost, underwater world, and as I researched the myth, I learned that Atlantis may not be a myth after all.

In his fascinating book, The Lost Empire of Atlantis, author Gavin Menzies argues that Atlantis did exist – and was part of the advanced and sophisticated Minoan civilization which stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to England, India and even America. IN 1500 BC, a supervolcano beneath the island of Santorini exploded with apocalyptic force, dealing a death blow to the Minoan civilization.

As Menzies writes at the end of his book:

Which Waterfire Saga mermaid are you most like? Take this quiz to find out!

To me, the story of the Minoans – and as I now realized, that of the people of Atlantis – is truly one of wonder. But it is not one of fantasy. This was no underwater daydream. Yes, this was a society lost to history. But it was not a lost race of miraculous beings with fantastical powers. It was a real place of real achievement, where lived a people whose brilliance and resourcefulness resounds through the centuries. Atlantis was not one place, but an empire of many places – and empire that reached out across the world, bringing a magical new technology with it. This is a tale that tells us one thing: that the history of this world is far more fascinating, complex and indeed more beautiful than we could ever imagine.

The Atlantis in the world of my Waterfire Saga is a single island, not a far-reaching civilization and it is a place populated by beings with fantastical powers: the Six Who Ruled. I loved imagining how Elysia, the ruined capital city looked, and I especially loved Sera’s reaction to seeing it for the first time. (After all, she is, like me, a student of history!)

I hope you love ROGUE WAVE’s Atlantis, too – but watch out for the Temple of Morsa, a cracked mirror, and a couple of creatures with very big teeth!

View an Excerpt from ROGUE WAVE:

Buy Rogue Wave at Amazon.comBarnes and Noble, or your local independent bookstore.

30 comments

  1. Naomi Rae says:

    Hi Jennifer!
    I enjoy your books so much! ive actually been reading deep blue and got really interested in in rogue wave. I am in love with your books they are the most detailed and mesmerizing books ever! I would be so honored to receive a reply from you.

    please write back,
    Naomi

  2. Carson Bonner says:

    Hi Mrs. Donnelly!
    I started reading these books when I was 11 (5 years ago) and fell head over heels (fins over tail) in love with them. I’ve been totally obsessed with them and have reread them time and time again. I loved how you left the end of the fourth book with the river witch’s song open for a 5th book (no spoilers here) and have been crossing my fingers that there may be one. Thank you sooo soooo much for giving me a series that I absolutely fell in love with.

  3. Amelie says:

    Hi, Jennifer

    As soon as I read the first book ‘deep blue’, I got so attached to it! They’re the best books ever!!

  4. Jessie Shannon says:

    Hi Jennifer!
    I have read all four books in your series and I can honestly say that they are amazing! I am a sophomore in high school and I am doing an archetypal essay and I chose the Waterfire saga to write about. I was just wondering if you could maybe give me some background on the talismans or maybe explain them? I’ve been looking through Deep Blue and I can’t find where the book explains the talismans. It would mean so much if you could help me with my essay. Thank you!

  5. Juha H says:

    Hi Jennifer Donnelly,
    It’s been almost an year since I read this series, and I loved it so much! The worldbuilding is amazing and I love each and every one of the merls. Serafina is brave and loyal and it has been wonderful seeing her grow during the series. Those books are truly amazing and they should be getting more appreciation! Love your books ?
    Also, what was your inspiration behind the seven mages? The part with the talismans were really interesting and I was wondering how did you come up with it.

  6. Carmela says:

    Hi Jennifer Donnelly,
    I love your books so much I have read the water fire saga books so many times. Is there a movie on them? If there is how do do I find it? I have taken the quiz and it says that I am most like Sera and that’s kind of weird because whale I was reading the book I felt like I had a connection to her, and I have a brother and horses. Please wright more books in the series.

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      Interesting — I don’t know many Seras! The quiz says I’m most like Astrid — kind of difficult!! I’m so happy you love my books – thank you for writing!!

  7. Aima says:

    I am in love with your books they are the most detailed and mesmerizing books ever!!!! I wish I could meet you! These are my top questions:
    Do you believe in mermaids?
    If this were real how would you beat Abbadon?
    Do love animals?
    If you could cook me back as anything you want when you die what would you be?
    Please answer
    From Aima ??

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      1. I certainly believe in Serafina, Neela, Ling, Ava, Becca, and Astrid, so I guess the answer is yes!
      2. I’d team up with my merls and get it done!!
      3. I sure do! The ones who live both above and below the waves!
      4. One of my two dogs, because they are the most pampered creatures on the planet!

  8. Macy M says:

    I am also the most like Astrid!! I recommended this book to all of my friends and I’m an aspiring author. I always loved Astrid the most, she has to be MY favorite. I love this series so much, I’ve read and re-read it so many times and this is the book the spiked my slight mermaid obsession. I love all the merls you’ve created. I got some of my friends to take the quiz and they are Ava, Becca, and Lin!

  9. Audri#mermaidFan#LOVETHESEBOOKS says:

    I just got done reading the first book it is amazing and i loved it. I love how she fights for everything. I would love to be a mermaid hope you change your mind about the 5th book but i only have access to 3 of them not 4 so might be a bit behind. If you were a mermaid what would be your power and the color of your fins???

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      That’s a good question! I took the mermaid quiz (which you can find on the Rogue Wave page) and it said I’m the most like Astrid. So I guess I’d have the coloring of an orca and I’d be a warrior like her!

  10. Wiktoria says:

    I have just finished reading the first of four books and I am so amazed by how interesting and intense the story is. You’re a brilliant author Jennifer Donnelly, can’t wait to read the other books ?

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      I think it might be a little advanced for a 2nd grader, but every child and every family is different, so I can’t really say if it’s appropriate for your daughter. My own daughter read it in 5th or 6th grade and it was just right for her and her friends. I would recommend that you read it first, if possible, and decide if you think it’s right for your daughter.

  11. Aimee Eivers says:

    I love all of these books they are amazing! I have read all of them 6 times each! You were a genius to write these books thank you!::)

  12. Fahima says:

    I’m currently reading the waterfire saga no.2, and I’m savouring every moment!
    But are there really only 4 in the series?
    I would love to know.
    From Fahima.?

    • Jennifer Donnelly says:

      Hi Fahima: Yes, there are four books in the series. There are no plans for a fifth book at the moment, but if that changes, I’ll let you know — so take your time with books 2-4!!

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