sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
Keeper had a terrible day and believes that the only way she can reverse it is by meeting her mermaid mom and asking for a wish. Late at night, Keeper and her dog, BD, take a row boat out into the Gulf of Mexico. The narrative describes what lead up to this quest and provides viewpoints from all characters.
The day was supposed to be great, with the blue moon, crab gumbo, and Dogie two word song for Signe. In the end, things were broken, people were mad, and it was Keeper's worst day ever. Will Keeper find the help she needs?
This book was okay. The whole time I was worried about the girl dying and readers her age attempting to do the same thing, and also dying (very traumatic). There was a sense of beauty to it, but the mixture of realism and fantasy didn't work for me in this novel.
The day was supposed to be great, with the blue moon, crab gumbo, and Dogie two word song for Signe. In the end, things were broken, people were mad, and it was Keeper's worst day ever. Will Keeper find the help she needs?
This book was okay. The whole time I was worried about the girl dying and readers her age attempting to do the same thing, and also dying (very traumatic). There was a sense of beauty to it, but the mixture of realism and fantasy didn't work for me in this novel.
_kushie's review against another edition
4.0
Have you ever wanted to reconnect with an important person from the past? After a day filled with mistakes, a young girl voyages on choppy seas to reconnect with her mermaid mother. When things take a turn for the worst, Keeper wants to make things right. Sacrificing her favorite treasures and a boat full of memories, she realizes what is important. But beware, Keeper’s blue moon night holds more secrets than just the cloudy skies.
From Mr. Beauchamp, Keeper’s elderly neighbor, to her mother, Signe, every character is wonderfully complex and relatable in some way. No matter the length, ranging from roughly a page to 20 pages, Applet weaves a beautiful story with themes of family and everyday magic. Full of playful dialogue and beautifully written text, Keeper is a rich and inviting read perfect for a day at the beach.
From Mr. Beauchamp, Keeper’s elderly neighbor, to her mother, Signe, every character is wonderfully complex and relatable in some way. No matter the length, ranging from roughly a page to 20 pages, Applet weaves a beautiful story with themes of family and everyday magic. Full of playful dialogue and beautifully written text, Keeper is a rich and inviting read perfect for a day at the beach.
lovegirl30's review against another edition
4.0
Was pretty cute. Enjoyed it.
Buddy read. Audiobook.
Review to come.
Buddy read. Audiobook.
Review to come.
kfrickle's review against another edition
This book started off cute but it did drag on. The book could easily be cut shorter to about 200 pages. The reason I DNF is that in addition to it being a slow read, the book implied a relationship that I did not agree with, especially for a children's/middle grade book. It wasn't advertised as having LGBTQ+ characters, and I felt it needed to in order to help parents know exactly what their children are reading.
readerpants's review against another edition
3.0
I am just not the reader for this book. I hesitate to even give it a star rating because I know that my opinion of it is shaped by my appreciation of it rather than any sort of objective rating.
I liked:
the relationships
I disliked:
the prose
the structure (the alternating chapters)
I bet if it had been the same story with a different writing style, I would be waving it around and trying to get everyone I know to read it. But really, I disliked it for the same reasons that I disliked The Underneath -- faux-folksy language, overwritten, rhymy, heavy-handed poetical prose -- and I think that this is most likely a book for adults. I'd love to be proven wrong, however! In fact, I have a reader in mind that I'd like to hand this to, and I will update my review as soon as I get it in her hands and hear her response...
I liked:
the relationships
I disliked:
the prose
the structure (the alternating chapters)
I bet if it had been the same story with a different writing style, I would be waving it around and trying to get everyone I know to read it. But really, I disliked it for the same reasons that I disliked The Underneath -- faux-folksy language, overwritten, rhymy, heavy-handed poetical prose -- and I think that this is most likely a book for adults. I'd love to be proven wrong, however! In fact, I have a reader in mind that I'd like to hand this to, and I will update my review as soon as I get it in her hands and hear her response...
book_nut's review against another edition
5.0
Not bad. Great use of language, and a nice story, too.
alexthepink's review against another edition
3.0
Beautifully written, but SO frustratingly slow to get going. As an adult I enjoyed it (in the end) but I can't see many kids making it to the exciting bit! A wonderfully magical atmosphere and 5 stars for quality of writing.
abigailbat's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful tale that combines the fantastic with real life on a hidden Texas shore. The prose advances and recedes like the tide, swirling in eddies just like the ocean that's so prominent in the story. Though while I was reading, it felt like the book was dragging in some parts, when I got to the end I could appreciate the beauty of it for what it was.
More to come on the blog. (Stay tuned.)
More to come on the blog. (Stay tuned.)