shelfaddiction's review against another edition
3.0
Originally posted on Shelf Addiction! Check this and more of my reviews at Shelf Addiction
This was my first taste of a book about mermaids. Thanks to SYNC's free summer downloads, I got this audio book for free! Yes, FREE! And I didn't even have to return it!
Overall I liked it. I have a few complaints about the consistency of a few of the characters personalities, but annoyance was mild in regards to that. In addition to that, I was a bit put off that Emma's best friend Chloe had a very violent death - Galen could have helped, but didn't. That was odd. That whole situation did give me a slight pause.
It seems like in every the boy meets girl story, in this case, Galen, always seems older. Almost like in a fatherly way, which is a bit odd. I want to say he's 20, but he acts like he's 50 at times. Emma is 18, but also, at times Emma seems much older and at other tines she seems much younger, I had issues with how her character flipped back and forth.
My biggest annoyance of this book: "ohmysweetgoodness!", said no 18 year old ever! I felt that was something her mother would say. The fact that's Emma's go to term was just too much. I was sick to death of hearing it! Beyond that oddball saying that no teenager would ever say, some of the other phrases seem a bit cheesy and old.
Then for some reason around the 60% mark the story got a bit murky to me. It's was like days passed in the story and I thought that I was missing explanation of what was happening. It was a bit hard to tell what's going on. I felt a bit confused for a moment, then all of the sudden, around the 75-80% mark, things clicked back into place and I was able to continue on with out any issues.
This narrator was so-so. As the story went on, my ears became more in tune with her which made listening easier.
With that said, I didn't love the book, but still feel vested. I liked it enough to continue on with the next book to see if things improve. I'm glad I was able to listen to this, because I'm not sure if I would have liked it as much in print. If I can find it on audio, I'll be listening!
This was my first taste of a book about mermaids. Thanks to SYNC's free summer downloads, I got this audio book for free! Yes, FREE! And I didn't even have to return it!
Overall I liked it. I have a few complaints about the consistency of a few of the characters personalities, but annoyance was mild in regards to that. In addition to that, I was a bit put off that Emma's best friend Chloe had a very violent death - Galen could have helped, but didn't. That was odd. That whole situation did give me a slight pause.
It seems like in every the boy meets girl story, in this case, Galen, always seems older. Almost like in a fatherly way, which is a bit odd. I want to say he's 20, but he acts like he's 50 at times. Emma is 18, but also, at times Emma seems much older and at other tines she seems much younger, I had issues with how her character flipped back and forth.
My biggest annoyance of this book: "ohmysweetgoodness!", said no 18 year old ever! I felt that was something her mother would say. The fact that's Emma's go to term was just too much. I was sick to death of hearing it! Beyond that oddball saying that no teenager would ever say, some of the other phrases seem a bit cheesy and old.
Then for some reason around the 60% mark the story got a bit murky to me. It's was like days passed in the story and I thought that I was missing explanation of what was happening. It was a bit hard to tell what's going on. I felt a bit confused for a moment, then all of the sudden, around the 75-80% mark, things clicked back into place and I was able to continue on with out any issues.
This narrator was so-so. As the story went on, my ears became more in tune with her which made listening easier.
With that said, I didn't love the book, but still feel vested. I liked it enough to continue on with the next book to see if things improve. I'm glad I was able to listen to this, because I'm not sure if I would have liked it as much in print. If I can find it on audio, I'll be listening!
jennifervu's review against another edition
4.0
Hmm... I can't decide between 3 or 4 stars so I'll go with 3.5.
This book has so much potential and I think so many people would love it! I probably would have loved it if I hadn't read a certain review that pointed out so many things that were wrong this book. And I couldn't help but agree with each point.
Let's start off with the good stuff. It's a unique mermaid tale and one of the sweetest romances ever. It's a really good story and will grab your attention the entire time!
Now the bad stuff. (SPOILER ALERT) I felt that Chloe's death was really unnecessary. She rarely thought about Chloe and never really spared a thought about her. (NO MORE SPOILERS)Second, the author kept emphasizing the fact that she was white. Seriously- I understand she's white. Get over it! Third, I really didn't like Emma and her snarky attitude. So many times, I just wanted to slap her. This made me enjoy the story less unfortunately. And the writing in general was different and the words looked so... uncomfortable together. Lastly, I wish the author would describe the underwater kingdom more. By the end of the book, I still couldn't really understand the kingdom itself. More world development would have been nice.
Despite all of the negative things that could bring this book down to a one star, I genuinely enjoyed this story wholeheartedly and would read it again! I wish I could take back reading that review so I could've enjoyed this book more. I absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for a fun summer read. Don't expect too much coming into this though.
This book has so much potential and I think so many people would love it! I probably would have loved it if I hadn't read a certain review that pointed out so many things that were wrong this book. And I couldn't help but agree with each point.
Let's start off with the good stuff. It's a unique mermaid tale and one of the sweetest romances ever. It's a really good story and will grab your attention the entire time!
Now the bad stuff. (SPOILER ALERT) I felt that Chloe's death was really unnecessary. She rarely thought about Chloe and never really spared a thought about her. (NO MORE SPOILERS)Second, the author kept emphasizing the fact that she was white. Seriously- I understand she's white. Get over it! Third, I really didn't like Emma and her snarky attitude. So many times, I just wanted to slap her. This made me enjoy the story less unfortunately. And the writing in general was different and the words looked so... uncomfortable together. Lastly, I wish the author would describe the underwater kingdom more. By the end of the book, I still couldn't really understand the kingdom itself. More world development would have been nice.
Despite all of the negative things that could bring this book down to a one star, I genuinely enjoyed this story wholeheartedly and would read it again! I wish I could take back reading that review so I could've enjoyed this book more. I absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for a fun summer read. Don't expect too much coming into this though.
emrache's review against another edition
1.0
This audiobook happened to be available from the library when I needed a new one. I have found some real gems doing that sort of serendipitous browsing. This was not one of them, even though it was a YA romance about humans and mermaids (oh wait, I mean Syrena). Can't believe that I actually finished it, but I was really hoping it would get better. It didn't.
ddmckenna's review against another edition
3.0
Hmm, I was underwhelmed by this book. I read it because a friend said it was a favorite of hers.
Pros: I kinda liked the idea of the underwater people, the Syrena and their powers and all, I guess.
Cons: I did not terribly identify with the main character, or any of the characters really. I thought the relationship between her and her best friend was kind of bitchy, and so was the whole "make him jealous" thing which came up in both relationships featured in the story. As a young-adult-targeted book, I don't really think that the friendship or the relationship were very good models for people who are at the age where they're figuring out how to relate to other people in the world.
Also the Syrena could've been a more interesting culture and people. Kinda boring making them all exactly the same - pale with dark hair and purple eyes? Cmon really? And as other reviewers pointed out, the only person of color in the whole book died right in the beginning. The whole "must marry the wrong person because you are special" thing is kind of an over-used trope too.
I will say this, it wasn't as bad a Twilight. At least the protagonist didn't go moping around for months on end being a useless lump and then jump off a cliff because the first person she ever met who she fell in love with left.
Pros: I kinda liked the idea of the underwater people, the Syrena and their powers and all, I guess.
Cons: I did not terribly identify with the main character, or any of the characters really. I thought the relationship between her and her best friend was kind of bitchy, and so was the whole "make him jealous" thing which came up in both relationships featured in the story. As a young-adult-targeted book, I don't really think that the friendship or the relationship were very good models for people who are at the age where they're figuring out how to relate to other people in the world.
Also the Syrena could've been a more interesting culture and people. Kinda boring making them all exactly the same - pale with dark hair and purple eyes? Cmon really? And as other reviewers pointed out, the only person of color in the whole book died right in the beginning. The whole "must marry the wrong person because you are special" thing is kind of an over-used trope too.
I will say this, it wasn't as bad a Twilight. At least the protagonist didn't go moping around for months on end being a useless lump and then jump off a cliff because the first person she ever met who she fell in love with left.
kstring's review against another edition
4.0
I kept telling myself I would form no emotional attachments to this book because I've got 3 other audiobooks checked out to me I need to read, but I think I'm going to have to give in and admit I'm just lying to myself as I begin listening to the second book of this series. EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENTS FORMED!! Ugh. Now I have to read the second book. Too late to turn back now--I plan on starting it first thing tomorrow. Now I'm making that sound like a bad thing, but I can assure you, dear reader, that it is a very good thing indeed. Like I said, it's only bad because I've got other books I should be reading but now I'm so engrossed in this story I've got to keep reading. My heart is aching, reminiscent of the Starcrossed series by Josephine Angelini. Although the stories are mostly different, the emotions they evoke are similar.
Characters? On point. Very realistic and life-like and believable. I love that the interactions between Galen and Emma are very double sided. They don't just make eyes at each other but they also don't just argue. There's a good balance in the book. I especially like that they realize that their relationship could be so much more than just bf/gf. I loathe series where the characters don't seem to understand that you can't be bf/gf forever, so at least this one has a bit of promise and shows some maturity in the main characters. Complaints? Rayna's character--whiny and a tattle tell and almost bipolar. Gosh, I just want to strangle her. She tries to be tough girl, but she really just comes across as a bit of a drama queen. I hope her character improves in the following books.
Plot? Well-crafted with some surprising twists. Perhaps it's just me being naive, but didn't really see the ending coming until it was right in my face on the last few pages. And I know I'm being naive when I say I completely fell for the "everything's been worked out and we're going to live happily ever after" trick. Haven't fallen for that one for a while and where I'd like to call it refreshing, I'm just going to call it heart-breaking.
Writing style? Natural. I didn't notice anything unusual or strange or awkward.
A great read if you're ready to have your heart wrenched out.
Characters? On point. Very realistic and life-like and believable. I love that the interactions between Galen and Emma are very double sided. They don't just make eyes at each other but they also don't just argue. There's a good balance in the book. I especially like that they realize that their relationship could be so much more than just bf/gf. I loathe series where the characters don't seem to understand that you can't be bf/gf forever, so at least this one has a bit of promise and shows some maturity in the main characters. Complaints? Rayna's character--whiny and a tattle tell and almost bipolar. Gosh, I just want to strangle her. She tries to be tough girl, but she really just comes across as a bit of a drama queen. I hope her character improves in the following books.
Plot? Well-crafted with some surprising twists. Perhaps it's just me being naive, but didn't really see the ending coming until it was right in my face on the last few pages. And I know I'm being naive when I say I completely fell for the "everything's been worked out and we're going to live happily ever after" trick. Haven't fallen for that one for a while and where I'd like to call it refreshing, I'm just going to call it heart-breaking.
Writing style? Natural. I didn't notice anything unusual or strange or awkward.
A great read if you're ready to have your heart wrenched out.
abbeyclawrey's review against another edition
5.0
You know when a book is amazing when you finish it in less than 24 hours. Enough said.
exteenawreads's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nicklelove's review against another edition
4.0
[July 23]
Read the full review at The Series Junkie.
Ohmysweetgoodness! Galen is so adorable. Every thing he does, I find adorable. I wish he was real and I know him because I want to pinch his cheeks for being to damn adorable. Every character is also likable/lovable, even Rayna, Galen's twin, who seems to be the mean girl type. But for 20-year-old twins, they seem immature, especially Rayna. I still love all the characters presented in this novel, even Emma's mom who makes funny remarks.
I like that one chapter is on Emma's first-person POV while the other is a narrative on Galen's POV and would include Rayna and Toraf too. The plot is predictable but still good nonetheless. Each page turn makes me giddy with excitement and I would find myself smiling while reading. The description is correct, it really is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.
Read the full review at The Series Junkie.
[July 18]
OH. MY. GOD. OH.MY.GOD! OHMYGOOOOOD!!!!
WHAT A CLIFFHANGER. WHAT A FREAKIN CLIFFHANGER! OH.MY.GOD! I THINK I AM GOING TO DIE.
Okay. So I knew what was going to happen [it was predictable anyway] but there's still that feeling you get when you find out you were right all along. OH.MY.GOD. What is going to happen now? OHNOES!
Obviously I can't write a decent review so I'll come back later when I've calmed down. OHMYGOD!!! Triton's trident! WHAT THE FUUUDGE!!!
Read the full review at The Series Junkie.
Ohmysweetgoodness! Galen is so adorable. Every thing he does, I find adorable. I wish he was real and I know him because I want to pinch his cheeks for being to damn adorable. Every character is also likable/lovable, even Rayna, Galen's twin, who seems to be the mean girl type. But for 20-year-old twins, they seem immature, especially Rayna. I still love all the characters presented in this novel, even Emma's mom who makes funny remarks.
I like that one chapter is on Emma's first-person POV while the other is a narrative on Galen's POV and would include Rayna and Toraf too. The plot is predictable but still good nonetheless. Each page turn makes me giddy with excitement and I would find myself smiling while reading. The description is correct, it really is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.
Read the full review at The Series Junkie.
[July 18]
OH. MY. GOD. OH.MY.GOD! OHMYGOOOOOD!!!!
WHAT A CLIFFHANGER. WHAT A FREAKIN CLIFFHANGER! OH.MY.GOD! I THINK I AM GOING TO DIE.
Okay. So I knew what was going to happen [it was predictable anyway] but there's still that feeling you get when you find out you were right all along. OH.MY.GOD. What is going to happen now? OHNOES!
Obviously I can't write a decent review so I'll come back later when I've calmed down. OHMYGOD!!! Triton's trident! WHAT THE FUUUDGE!!!