nisanre's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book was good for exactly what it was - a low-level reader with a very specific audience. It was part of my "read all the books I own in my classroom quest" and I don't regret the read. It was quick, light, and sugary. A good in-between books.
victoriarad's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Aww the book that inspired one of my all time favorite movies!! Hate to say it, but the movie was better!?
I really needed like a happy little escapist warm and fuzzy story and this delivered. Fun to see the differences between the book and movie. But GIRL - why is Raymond NOT a lifeguard? A snack shack guy? No way that's no where near as perfect as a lifeguard who falls in love with a mermaid. That's a match made in heaven.
Loved the whimsy of middle grade writing though, just on the cusp where magic can be real. Nothing like it.
I really needed like a happy little escapist warm and fuzzy story and this delivered. Fun to see the differences between the book and movie. But GIRL - why is Raymond NOT a lifeguard? A snack shack guy? No way that's no where near as perfect as a lifeguard who falls in love with a mermaid. That's a match made in heaven.
Loved the whimsy of middle grade writing though, just on the cusp where magic can be real. Nothing like it.
sadiereadsagain's review against another edition
4.0
I flew through this in less than an hour, and really loved it. It captures that heartbreaking sense of loss that comes when a close friend moves away. It’s written for younger readers, but I found it spoke to me as an adult too. I think it’s less a story about finding a mermaid, and more about honouring the magic of friendship.
coffeebreath27's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
other than the characters this was so nothing like the movie??? lol still enjoyed reading it though.
marcia_94's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I saw the movie many years ago and it's one of my favourites but only recently discovered it was based on this novella. It is cute and a homage to friendship. But ultimately, I prefer the movie. 😊
madueoslivros's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely and quick to read coming of age tale, very very different from the movie.
nyxii's review against another edition
1.0
I had just finished reading [b:Bridge To Teribithia|1946134|Bridge To Teribithia|Katherine Paterson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1190705319s/1946134.jpg|2237401] by [a:Katherine Paterson|1949|Katherine Paterson|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1314929618p2/1949.jpg], and, on a whim/book-induced high, I picked up my copy of [b:Aquamarine|527923|Aquamarine|Alice Hoffman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328869016s/527923.jpg|4030682] that I had bought in 2006 as a young girl. I had never read it before today. Well, that was a mistake. It was, quite honestly, a waste of time.
Things that truly bothered me:
- this book.
- the characters.
- the plot.
Alright, the book as a whole was just plain bad. The plot and the characters made it painful to read. It was just awful. As far as I can tell, there really wasn't much of a plot to begin with, but rather an unoriginal idea. How many books are there about best friends moving away? Hmm.. let's just throw an irritating, conceited Mermaid into that and, BAM, we have a completely new & fresh idea. Gaaah. What is wrong with people? The characters were so unbelievably flat and stupid that I cannot believe this book was published. Claire & Hailey were just stupid, Raymond was a tool [he didn't do anything to make the plot progress, he was just sort of there], and Aquamarine was a bitch. The book may be centered around a mermaid, but, the book isn't really about the mermaid/fantasy whatsoever. Just about two girls who are flatter than a piece of paper. There was no depth at all and I was bored out of my mind while reading it.
There is such a lack of depth with this book that I cannot write a proper review because, well, there's NOTHING to write about.
I think this is the worst book I have read to date. Legit.
Things that truly bothered me:
- this book.
- the characters.
- the plot.
Alright, the book as a whole was just plain bad. The plot and the characters made it painful to read. It was just awful. As far as I can tell, there really wasn't much of a plot to begin with, but rather an unoriginal idea. How many books are there about best friends moving away? Hmm.. let's just throw an irritating, conceited Mermaid into that and, BAM, we have a completely new & fresh idea. Gaaah. What is wrong with people? The characters were so unbelievably flat and stupid that I cannot believe this book was published. Claire & Hailey were just stupid, Raymond was a tool [he didn't do anything to make the plot progress, he was just sort of there], and Aquamarine was a bitch. The book may be centered around a mermaid, but, the book isn't really about the mermaid/fantasy whatsoever. Just about two girls who are flatter than a piece of paper. There was no depth at all and I was bored out of my mind while reading it.
There is such a lack of depth with this book that I cannot write a proper review because, well, there's NOTHING to write about.
I think this is the worst book I have read to date. Legit.