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!!!
rubyshmuby's review against another edition
3.0
I loved this book aside from the fact that Emma annoying me so much and how many times she said, "Ohmysweetgoodness."
nannasa16's review against another edition
4.0
http://katnissbraid.blogspot.it/2014/02/of-poseidon-syrena-legacy-1-review.html
la mezza stella in meno è per l'essere un pochetto prevedibile ma molto bello.
la mezza stella in meno è per l'essere un pochetto prevedibile ma molto bello.