Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Release Date: June 12, 2012
Author Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult
Shelfability: Acquire
Pages: 303
Format: eGalley
Source: NetGalley
Interest: Debut
Challenge: Debut Author Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon
Get the Audiobook: Audible

Yay! Another mermaid story!

Calder is a merman. As are his three sisters. (If you can even call them sisters.) They’ve been searching for the man responsible for the death of their mother and they’ve finally found him. Now it’s time to take their revenge. Preferably watching the spark leaves his eyes as they drown him. It should be easy for Calder to use his charms on one of the man’s daughters and learn their trust so he can betray them by killing their father, right? But there is a little more than meets the eye on the waters of Lake Superior.

I didn’t really know what Lies Beneath was about, beyond the fact that there was some mermaid action going on. I almost like going into the book that way. I did have readers mention how much they didn’t like this book, or did like this book to me. So, going in I didn’t have any expectations. I wanted to like it, but I wasn’t sure that was going to happen. It did. Maybe I am just a sucker for mermaid stories, but I really like this one!

I loved the mythology that Anne created. Her mermaids aren’t blood thirsty, but emotionally thirsty. (You’ll know what I mean if you end up reading it.) The bottom line, they are killers. And for some unexplainable reason, I thought that was awesome. I would have liked the mythology to be a little bit more developed, but it was an interesting intro.

Calder’s internal battle was intriguing. Not only with his relationship with Lily, but his relationship with his sisters. And speaking of the sisters. I so wanted more from them! They were so mean and manipulative. I loved it! I just wish they would have been a bit more developed.

I didn’t really care for Lily’s character at all, nor did I get into her relationship with Calder. She started growing on me by the end, but I just didn’t get “her.” Perhaps with book two, which I believe will be in her POV, I might come to appreciate her a bit more.

Overall the things that I enjoyed about the novel, overshadowed the bits that I didn’t.

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Release Date: May 22, 2012
Author Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Age Group: Young Adult
Shelfability: Covet/Acquire
Pages: 336
Format: eGalley
Source: NetGalley
Interest: Debut
Challenge: Debut Author Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon
Get the Audiobook: Audible

Maybe I enjoyed this one so much because I’m a sucker for a mermaid story. That being said, I wasn’t expecting much. The cover is gorgeous and that got my attention, but the plot didn’t get me excited. A girl that can talk to fish is going to save a kingdom? Seriously?

It starts with Emma going on vacation with her best friend. She literally runs into this guy, Galen. Of course he is absolutely gorgeous and he has these strange eyes. I know, I know! But stay with me here!

Emma and her friend Chloe go frolicking in the ocean, even though Emma has a bit of an aversion for the water. Then something happens. Something that makes Galen curious as to what Emma is. Could she possibly be a Syrena, like him. Oh, did I forget to mention that Galen was a Syrena! Not just any Syrena, he’s a Syrena PRINCE!

Of Poseidon was light, entertaining, cute and just plain fun! (Although there is one not so light moment.) It was just the sort of book I needed in that moment that I read it. Something that captured my attention so much it made the rest of the world fade away for a while.

I loved these characters. Emma, Galen, Rayna and Toraf. Even Galen’s pretend mom, her name is eluding me at the moment and I’m much to lazy to get up and find my kindle! But she was a riot! They are just a group of quirky and amusing characters. I loved Emma’s sarcastic and slightly neurotic voice. She reminded me a lot of myself at times! And the chemistry between Emma and Galen! Whew! It’s a wonder those two didn’t have the ocean boiling!

The story was told in duel perspectives, but in a different way than I am used to. Emma’s part of the story is told in first person, but for Galen’s part it was told in third person. While it threw me a bit initially it really worked well for the story that needed to be told.

While I was more than satisfied with Of Poseidon, I am beyond anxious for more!

This is definitely the perfect read to grab for a day at the beach!

The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Córdova

Release Date: May 1, 2012
Author Info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Age Group: Young Adult
Shelfability: Acquire
Pages: 384
Format: Advance Reader Copy
Source: Publisher
Interest: Debut
Challenge: Debut Author Challenge
Buy the Book: Amazon

I love books about mythological beings and mermaids, er mermen, are one of my favorites! Something I’d yet to encounter with this type of story was one told from a boys perspective, and with The Vicious Deep we get that perspective!

The story starts off with a whirlwind! Almost literally! Tristan is lifeguarding and get’s caught up in a massive storm while trying to rescue a drowning swimmer. Three days later with no recollection of what happened, Tristan washes up on the beach. And something just isn’t right.

One thing leads to another and we discover that Tristan is no ordinary human. He’s a merman. And not just any merman. He’s a part of the royal family and the Sea King wants a word with him!

I loved Cordova’s take on the mermaid lore. It was brilliant how she contrasted the somewhat darker world below the sea with the whimsical and entertaining Coney Island. I don’t know why I feel in love with the setting like I did, but it just worked so well!

Tristan is a boys, boy. He is too hot for his good, he is charismatic and athletic. He can be the biggest a-hole one second and then have you feeling sorry for him the next! But you want to root for him. You want to see him become Sea King and at the same time you want him to be with Layla. Speaking of Layla. I wanted so much more of her! And this relationship with Tristan! What is going on with those two! It is driving me crazy!

This book is fun. Don’t let the darker tone of the title sway you. You will be laughing out loud at points! There are a few serious and dangerous moments, don’t get me wrong it’s not all fun and games. But it’s mostly just a fun ride! You get the front row seat on an epic adventure with Tristan and his friends. You’ll get off and want to get right back on!

I was so not ready for this book to end. WHY DID IT HAVE TO END!?! There is so much more that can happen! And I can’t wait to see what does!

If you are looking for a read that is fast paced, fun and just a little bit different. You need The Vicious Deep!

Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

Between the Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

Release Date: October 25, 2011
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Age Group: Young Adult
Shelfability: Acquire
Pages: 240
Format: E-ARC
Source: NetGalley
Interest: Author
Challenge: None

For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren–the highest calling a mermaid can have. When Dosinia runs away to the mainland, Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn’t seen since childhood–a dashing young man named Alandare, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alandare band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship . . . and ignite the emotions for a love so great, it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air.

This was such a FUN book to read! When I had to put it down I was so excited to step back into the world and visit with these characters.

I first became of fan of Dolamore in her debut novel Magic Under Glass, and I have to admit that Between the Sea and Sky has moved right past Magic Under Glass and into the number one position.

I’ve always been fascinated with mermaid mythology. I really wanted to be one when I was younger. I blame it most specifically on Splash with Tom Hanks. I am absolutely loving all the mermaid books that seem to be hitting the shelves in the YA section and I even more impressive was how Dolamore interprets and represents the siren myth.

The story had a fairy tale feel to fit, it was very whimsical and had beautifully detailed worlds! I was fascinated not only by the world of the mermaids that Dolamore created but also the world of winged people and how she seamlessly intertwined the two!

The romance was so sweet! I could see it coming, but it was still fun watching these to figure out their feelings for one another

This would be a great novel for younger YA readers too!

Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Release Date: July 21, 2011
Publisher: Razorbill
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 272
Format: Advance Reader Copy
Source: Publisher
Interest: Mermaid
Challenge: None
Buy the Book: Amazon

Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. Each day she goes to school like a normal teenager, and each night she must swim, or the pain will be unbearable. She is a siren – a deadly mermaid destined to lure men to their watery deaths. After a terrible tragedy, Lexi shut herself off from the world, vowing to protect the ones she loves. But she soon finds herself caught between a new boy at school who may have the power to melt her icy exterior, and a handsome water spirit who says he can break Lexi’s curse if she gives up everything else. Lexi is faced with the hardest decision she’s ever had to make: the life she’s always longed for – or the love she can’t live without?

So, I may be a bit biased since I do have a thing for sirens… but even with that Ripple was a fantastic read!

I love Mandy’s easy and fun writing style, it never takes me long to read them because I just can’t put the story down… and it’s easy to think that I’ve only been reading for a few minutes when it’s actually been a few hours. I loved the romance, and the characters, and the translation of the siren mythology.

Lexi was such a great character, and realistically flawed. I think that’s what made her so easy to read about, she’s very easy to empathize with. And even though some of her decisions aren’t the smartest ones, you can almost justify her reasoning in making them. I did not see the love triangle aspect coming, and really I wouldn’t even call it a love triangle, there is a lot more going on there. And I was glad that it worked out the way that it did…. and I can say that I didn’t expect what happened. Wow… that was CRAZY!

Cute, fun, and the perfect summer read on the beach… or at the lake!

I really need more Lexi, and more Cole!