Review: Talon by Julie Kagawa

Series: The Talon Saga (Book 1)

Hardcover: 464 pages

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Genre: Urban Fantasy | Dragons

Date of Publication: October 28, 2014

Synopsis:

Dragons walk among us in human form.

Long ago, dragons were hunted to near extinction by the Order of St. George, a legendary society of dragon slayers. Hiding in human form and growing their numbers in secrecy, the dragons of Talon have become strong and cunning, and they're positioned to take over the world with humans none the wiser.

Ember and Dante Hill are the only sister and brother known to dragonkind. Trained to infiltrate society, Ember wants to live the teen experience and enjoy a summer of freedom before taking her destined place in Talon. But destiny is a matter of perspective, and a rogue dragon will soon challenge everything Ember has been taught. As Ember struggles to accept her future, she and her brother are hunted by the Order of St. George.

Soldier Garret Xavier Sebastian has a mission to seek and destroy all dragons, and Talon's newest recruits in particular. But he cannot kill unless he is certain he has found his prey--and nothing is certain about Ember Hill. Faced with Ember's bravery, confidence, and all-too-human desires, Garret begins to question everything that the Order has ingrained in him--and what he might be willing to five up to find the truth about dragons.

Review:

Best Cover EVER!!!

Seriously, this cover is absolutely beautiful and makes me happy.

I will begin by saying that I read some absolutely scathing reviews about this book on Goodreads, which made me a little hesitant to pick it up. The cover and Kagawa's reputation made me read it. I will say that the scathing reviews are completely unwaranted.

I agree with many that Ember's character is a little lack-luster, but I don't think she was written as immaturely as others claim. I enjoyed the build up with the supporting characters. The characters were different and the plot was stronger with the various arechtypes. For the entirety of the novel, the story is centered on Ember's inner struggle with her desire for the relaxing and fun human world, versus finding her place in the cut throat and scary world of Talon.

This book has action, romance, drama, and DRAGONS! The premise of the book is interesting, with two secret societies being at war with each other. Not original, but it translated well in the book. I have a deep love for dragons, and I really liked how Julie Kagawa portrayed them. The Elders were especially cunning and arrogant--their words and body language dripping with the superiority I expect and love.

A quick note: the book is arranged in two halves. The second half of the book is absolutely stellar. Had there been as much action and development in the first half, I would have rated Talon higher.   

My biggest complaint, and the main reason why I'm rating this book 3 out of 5, is that I wanted to see more dragon stuff. The book is long--a little over 400 pages. There could have been so much more character and plot development had there not been multiple points of view in First Person. It was a huge distraction and took up way too much space. If you have read any of my other reviews, you know how I feel about multiple perspectives being written in First Person. I loathe it. It annoys me to the brink of insanity. Just use Third Person. Seriously.

Also, the other negative aspect that could have made this book exceptional is that Ember, Garret, and Dante fell a little flat for me. Not completely, just a little. I could have ignored one flat character, but when all three of the leading characters are flat, it really begins to bother me. Furthermore, there was something about the interactions that just seemed artificial. I didn't bond with these characters. This wasn't a deal breaker for me, it just made the story less engaging.

Despite that, I think this series has great potential and I recommend that you at least check it out and give it a try.   



Rating: 3 out of 5 owls



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Review: Rua by Miranda Kavi

Genre: Fantasy | Faeries

Synopsis:

When Celeste starts at a new school in a small, Kansas town, she hears whispering voices has vivid nightmares, and swarms of blackbirds follow her every move. She is oddly drawn to aloof Rylan, the other new student who has his own secrets. The exact moment she turns seventeen, she wakes up to a bedroom full of strange creatures, purple light emanating from her hands, and Rylan breaking in through her bedroom window. He knows what she is.

Review:

I enjoyed this novel. It was not what I was expecting at all. I came across this book while looking for novel that explore the Fae mythology. This is not your typical Sidhe interpretation. But, I kind of liked that. 

Celeste was spunky and smart. She was cautious and strong. She worked to learn how to control her powers so she would be able to defend herself. 

Rylan played the part of the mysterious rogue. He was so sweet to Celeste, yet he was also serious about their situation. He was very intuitive, and I really appreciated that about his character. 

The characters were relatable and the plot flowed smoothly. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Rua. 

 

Rating: 4 out of 5 owls

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Review: Promises by Amber Garr

Genre: Fantasy | Mermaids

Synopsis:

Sometimes following your heart can end up destroying the ones you love. When seventeen-year-old Eviana Dumahl is faced with the responsibility of an arranged marriage and clan leadership, she is forced to choose between the life required of a mermaid and one of a teenage girl simply infatuated with the wrong guy. 

Kain, her devoted fiance, would make a wonderful husband except that she's been in love with Brendan, a shape-shifting selkie, ever since they were kids. Choosing to abandon her family, her clan, and her life with Kain will have dire consequences far beyond anything she could have imagined. 

A war is brewing amongst the clans and Eviana unwittingly becomes a pawn in the intricate schemes of a twisted mastermind. With Brendan's life on the line, she has no choice but to involve those she once considered friends. Amidst encountering senseless tragedies and immense loss, Eviana discovers that she is more valuable as a clan leader than anyone ever suspected. Her survival is not only dependent upon the loyalty of her friends, but also on her acceptance of a life she so adamantly tried to escape. Promises is the first book of The Syrenka Series trilogy following Eviana and her friends through the perils of growing up in a discrete world that inherently threatens human society.

Review:

This novel is jam-packed with teenage angst and drama. Eviana is smitten with her childhood friend, Brendan, a handsome and smooth-talking selkie. Despite how determined Eviana is to be with Brendan, I couldn't help but hope that she would change her mind and fall for Kain. 

The selkies were probably the most exciting aspect of the novel. Every so often I will come across a novel that mentions them, but Promises really explores the mythology and makes selkies the stars. 

I enjoyed the plot, but had some issues with the characterization. Eviana is extremely immature for a seventeen-year-old. Maybe Garr did this to really emphasize how much she has to develop when leadership is thrust on her; however, her personality made her very unrealistic. She acted like she was thirteen, not a noble with an immense amount of responsibility.

Overall, I enjoyed Promises. It was a very quick read. I think it's worth checking out.

Rating: 3 out of 5 owls

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Review: Forever Fae by L. P. Dover

Genres: New Adult | Fantasy | Faeries

Synopsis:

He leans down, lips parted, and then our lips connect...We didn't know that this one kiss has FOREVER changed the Land of the Fae. 

According to the Prophecy proclaimed many years ago, Princess Calista of the Summer Court is destined to change the Land of the Fae from the evil determined to destroy it. Her powers are phenomenal, and she secretly trains for battle with her handsome warrior friend, Merrick, who unbeknownst to her protects her heart as well, in hopes of keeping it for himself. At least, until the seductive Prince Ryder attends the Guardian Ceremony and instantly sends a fire burning through her veins and a connection so deep they both discover a love above anything imaginable. 

No one knows how Calista is destined to change the kingdoms, but there is one that does. He not only craves Calista's power, but her body as well, and his goal is to steal her power, make her his Dark Queen, and take over the Land of the Fae. 

Will the evil succeed in claiming Calista's soul? Or will the two men that fight for her heart save her from despair, and help her fulfill her destiny to become what she was meant to be. 

Review:

The cover is so PRETTY! 

Based on the descriptions of the creatures and the types of magic evident in Forever Fae I can tell that Dover did a ton of research for the novel. However, I feel like the presentation of the characters, especially in terms of their language and general immaturity, is a disservice to the genre. 

I feel that there is so much potential with the plot and the world that Dover created. The characters seem disjointed in places because they shift from formal courtly language to using modern slang in the next sentence. Many of the images are beautiful, but I feel disappointed because Calista's magic was placed on the back burner. Every so often her magic is brought up--leaves and skin changing color along with controlling roots--but nothing is truly explored. The love triangle remains a strong focal point. I believe that if  there were only one perspective there would be more room for this type of exploration. 

As it stands now, I think the novel needs a couple of revisions to really capture the essence of Dover's world. It's not bad, but it could be better.

Rating: 3 out of 5 owls

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Review: Switched by Amanda Hocking

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis:

When Wendy Everly was six years old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. Eleven years later, Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. She's not the person she'd always believed herself to be, and her whole life begins to unravel--all because of Finn Holmes. 

Finn is a mysterious guy who always seems to be watching her. Every encounter leaves her deeply shaken...though it has more to do with her fierce attraction to him than she'd ever admit. But it isn't long before he reveals the truth: Wendy is a changeling who was switched at birth--and he's come to take her home. 

Now Wendy's about to journey to a magical world she never knew existed, one that's both beautiful and frightening. And where she must leave her old life behind to discover who she's meant to become...

Review:

I will start this one off with by expressing my appreciation for Amanda's creative spin on troll legends. The "tryll" are not the gastly beasts of the common fairy tales we have all grown to love. These trolls are insanely beautiful, talented in magic, and tres chic when it comes to fashion and parties. 

I really like that Wendy came from a very tragic past. Her human mother tried to kill her when she was a child. Add that bit of drama to the fact that (like every other teenager on the planet) she cannot get past her negative self-image and low self-esteem, Wendy is definitely one angsty teen. 

After the handsome Finn comes into the picture and reveals that she is actually a changeling and must return to take over the tryll throne, Wendy's world is rocked in a way that no teen's should be. She shifts from having one mother who tried to kill her to a super rich and gorgeous mother who has no emotional attachment to her whatsoever and merely wishes to use Wendy for her own personal gain. 

Talk about some family love. I thought that given the situation Wendy handled the cards life dealt her with as much gumption and determination as possible for a teenage girl. 

My only hang up is the writing style. I wasn't too fond of it, though there were definitely quote-worthy moments. As a genre it's not what I usually read (this was my first novel about trolls), but I bought a used copy of the Torn to see what happens next. 

I've been on the fence about the rating for this one, so I'm going to give the novel a chance and give it a 4 out of 5. I'm hoping my reservations are there simply because I'm new to this sub-genre.

Rating--4 out of 5 owls

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Review: Hook's Pan by Marie Hall

Genre: New Adult | Fantasy | Fairy Tales

Synopsis:

Trishelle Page has known pain in her life, but instead of it making her weak, she's stronger. Confident. That is until the day a fairy kidnaps her during her staring role in Peter Pan's play and tells her not only do fairy tales exist, but that she'd the soul mate of the pirate they call Hook, making her question everything she ever thought she knew. 

Captain James Hook is a man at the end of his rope. He's not the villainous bastard tales have made him out to be. So when the curvaceous blonde drops, literally, at his feet he aims to prove it to her. If only to get her into his bed. 

What neither one knows is that fate and magic are conspiring and they can deny the attraction all they want but the end is already written, it's just a matter of getting there. 

Review:

I really liked the twist Marie Hall took in revamping the classic Peter Pan fairy tale. Hook is a smoldering, misunderstood brute who only wants revenge for the murder of his mermaid love. That all changes when Trishelle drops at his feet. These characters are headstrong and stubborn. There is enough character development between their steamy interactions to keep the plot interesting. 

The imagery was so delicately woven that I felt like I was seeing everything that Hook and Trisha were experiencing. The mermaid realm is simply beautiful. I enjoyed the witty banter and the realness of the characters. Trisha and Hook did not like each other at first, and I appreciate that. 

Normally I do not like typical "reincarnated" soulmate love stories; however, Trisha remained an individual and didn't regain all of her soul's memories and start having multiple personalities. She started off as Trisha and she stayed Trisha. I'm very excited that there are other novels in this series. I will definitely check them out. 

I received a copy of the text on NetGalley, so I didn't realize that this was the fifth in the series. It serves as a stand alone novel, though there are multiple references to the previous books. I think it's worth the read and I will definitely read the rest of the series.

Rating:4 out of 5 owls

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Review: A Diamond In My Pocket by Lorena Angell

Genre: Fantasy | Heroic

Synopsis:

When Calli Courtnae breaks the World Record for the 100m, she is invited to Montana to prepare for

National tryouts. However, upon arrival using her lip reading ability she realizes she's been lied to, or at least not told the whole truth. She's a superhuman, a Runner, and her new world includes transporting packages for other supernatural groups. 

She's paired up with an overly anxious Gothic roommate, is continuously glared down by the gorgeous top-dog, Chris, who feels she doesn't belong, and is placed on a delivery team to transport a valuable magical diamond to a clan of terrorists who can kill with their thoughts. 

Chris, the team leader, is given the diamond, but Calli secretly received the real stone along with a vision of the future and an explanation of why she was hand selected to carry out the mission. Almost immediately the hidden diamond oozes unprecedented additional powers and abilities in Calli, making her more sought after than the diamond itself. 

Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It is a quick read and is full of adventure, drama, and angst. Lorena took great care in creating this world--rules, social caste and all. Even though it is obvious from the start that the characters are superhuman, their lack of empathy makes them a bit unrealistic. 

While I like mature characters--not all teenagers are controlled by hormones--Calli seemed too old for a junior in high school. However, she started to grow on me when she didn't pine away after all the cute boys and remained level headed in her difficult situations. Even without the powers that the diamond gave her Calli was able to base her decisions on the possible consequences. 

Lorena's explanation for the reason as to why humans manifest certain abilities was very scientific and believable. I liked that her explanation warranted that almost all humans are affected, not just a select group. I feel that her plot was original and a very interesting twist on the typical superhero theme. 

I will definitely read the next book in the series, A Diamond in My Heart.

Rating: 4 out of 5 owls

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Review: Spells by Aprilynne Pike

Genre: Urban Fantasy | Faeries

I think I enjoyed Spells more than Wings. Laurel seemed to mature and get over herself. Her struggles in her classes in Avalon were more realistic. I enjoyed learning about the different traditions and social expectations that the faerie uphold. 

What I loved most was the undeniable chemistry between Laurel and Tamani. The "love" between Laurel and David just can't compare. I'm shipping for Tamani all the way. 

Pike has a beautiful writing style and her descriptions of Avalon are spectacular. New characters were introduced, but the mystery stayed throughout the book. There was plenty on conflict and just enough action to keep the plot interesting. 

The only reason Spells doesn't get five stars is because there was a little too much of the "We know you know absolutely nothing about our culture, but we expect you to abide by and suddenly know all the rules. Oh, and hurry it up." That was my only complaint. Other than that, Spells is a gem.

Rating: 4 out of 5 owls

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Review: Flutter by Melissa Andrea

Genre: Supernatural | Shapeshifters

Wow...I haven't read a decent book about shapeshifters in a long time. I had no idea which branch of supernatural lore Flutter would encompass when I began reading it, but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. I admit that I chose to read it almost solely based on the cover and the fact that it was in the Paranormal/Urban Fantasy genre.

The plot moves at a very fast pace, which I greatly appreciate, and the characters face ample amounts of drama, which engages the reader and makes them develop attachments towards the characters. Adan and Sara's interactions with each other include fire hot chemistry, moments of sweet affection, and sheer adoration.

The only reason I'm not giving Flutter a 5 star review is due to the grammar mistakes and the tiny bit of confusion that I felt at the end. In my opinion, when creating a new world, an author should take care to develop it fully in the first novel, instead of throwing in details at the end. Don't get me wrong, I like Melissa's original interpretation of this type of lore, but I wish she hadn't waited until the very end to make it epic. Despite that, Melissa has created a new dynamic for the Urban Fantasy genre, and I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next.

Flutter is a must-read.

Rating: 4 out of 5 owls

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Book Release: Flutter By Melissa Andrea

I know they say you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but my goodness this one is pretty. I recently caught wind of Flutter through a couple of friends online, and I have to say I am definitely looking forward to reading it. Flutter  is scheduled for release on October 30--tomorrow. Apart from the lovely cover, I'm intrigued by the mystery of the synopsis. It alludes to a fantasy/paranormal world, but maintains a nice level of mystery. Which fantasy world is it? I'm hoping faeries. The leaf/wing imprint in the model's makeup on the front would make it seem so. Whatever the case, I can't wait to pick this one up. Look for the review soon. 

Synopsis:

Sara

Sara's life is forever changed-

Waking up, buried & hidden deeply in the last place anyone would want to be, will do that. She is determined to find out how she ended up there and why, but when the only person who can help her continuously lies to her, she finds herself forced to suffer alone. She can't ignore the strange things that begin to happen to her, nor can she hide from the nightmares that haunt her sleep. And when her world collides with Adan--the mysterious boy whom she can't seem to stay away from, literally--she is consumed bu the familiar flutter that sparks whenever he is around, and she is desperate to discover the reason why. But the biggest discovery will come from the secret of what she is...

Adan

Adan's mission to find Sara has finally approached. 

It seemed simple to bring her back to the enchanted world that lives, breathes, and survives because of her, but he quickly finds himself faced with an entirely new challenge. Immediately, Adan realizes that staying unknown to Sara is a task he will fail before even attempting. The pull to her is far too strong to refuse, and being with her will defy the very reason he existed. he was the key to her survival and loving her was not part of the plan that he had been born to follow. Can he find it in himself to resist the urge to be with her and follow through with their destiny or will he destroy everything that had been left to Sara to protect and defend. 

And the kingdom she is unaware she rules...

Flutter

Sara and Adan struggle to overcome their own separate battles, there is a far more determined evil that is stalking the shadows and waiting to annihilate them both. Sara will figure out that not everything is what it seems and knowing what she can and cannot trust will be the key to finding out the truth to what happened to her, the reason why she had been buried alive and who she really is...

Sara and Adan will discover the hidden meaning to why she was the reason he existed and why he would be the reason she survived, and together they will fight to change the rules and rewrite their fate. 

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Review: On Fallen Wings by Jamie McHenry

Genre: Fantasy | Faeries

I decided to give myself a week before reviewing On Fallen Wings, simply for the fact that I didn't want to eviscerate it on a whim. During the last week, I have frequently replayed the story over and over in my mind and come to the conclusion that while I don't hate it, there are many areas that, with improvement, could be stronger. What first appealed to me about this novel is that it seemingly incorporated Fae mythology. Now, I happen to be writing a book about the Fae, so I have been doing a serious amount of research on the topic. You could say that I wanted to get a look at what other authors are writing about my subject. I was also intrigued by the fact that the author is a man and the lead character is a heroine. 

Unfortunately, On Fallen Wings left me disappointed on so many levels. The Fae-lore that originally attracted me to the novel was briefly mentioned and then quickly forgotten. There was no magic and the "faeries" were typical humans. I'm sorry, but the Fae are not humans and therefore do not look, think, or act like humans. I can overlook the author taking liberties with the mythology, but it took backstage too much for my liking. Either make it a prominent feature or leave it out. 

The characters had very little depth, despite the entire book being full of supposed character development. Enough said. 

What I enjoyed about McHenry's writing is his prose. The man can write some beautiful prose. So, in terms of style Jamie McHenry has it down, but he needs to work on plot development. The names were also very lovely and satisfied my pickiness over character identity. I feel that On Fallen Wings needed a better editor. I saw lots of potential, but it just didn't have any plot devices in place to really grab the reader's attention. Now, having expressed my negative feelings for this book, I just want to add that this review is merely my opinion. I have read other reviews on this novel that raved about how good it is. If at the end of the day you enjoyed it, then it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. Feel free to give this novel a chance if you feel so inclined. You may like it.

Rating: 2 out of 5 owls

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Monday Mania--Fairies

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Tithe by Holly Black

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Bones of Faerie by Janni Lee Simner

Review: Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Genre: Fantasy | Fairy Tales

Synopsis:

Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris—the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend—but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?

Review:

I've mentioned this before on my review of Sweetly, but I have to say it again--Jackson Pearce is a genius and a brilliant story teller. Her imagery is beautifully horrific, the characters are intriguing, and the story is a unique twist on a classic fairy tale. Sisters Red is a perfect blend of mystery, adventure, and romance. 

Jackson had me hooked from start to finish. I have very few negative things to say, and those are merely preferences rather than anything negative about the writing. First off--I'm not a fan of foul language, though I understand that some things just can't adequately be conveyed without it. The F-bomb is used about 3-4 times, so be warned. However, I would like to say that while I did not appreciate it, the story was still superb. The other aspect I did not appreciate was how Silas kissed both sisters. It's just one of those stupid jerk moves that just irks me. Still love Silas, though. The last nuance that typically annoys me, but was so masterfully incorporated that I quickly got over it, was the dual points of view. I don't like switching between two different perspectives. It's annoying and distracting. Yet, I have to admit that Jackson has a seamless transition that reflects the relationship between Scarlett and Rosie. 

So, while there are several aspects that usually irk me past the point of acceptance, Jackson's writing is so ensnaring that I can live with them. I love that I kept finding myself surprised.  By the end I kept thinking "wow, this book was so good."

Rating: 5 out of 5 owls

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Review: Wildly by T. Swanepoel

Genre: Sci-Fi | Fantasy

Synopsis:

She underestimated the dark side of the moon...

Valerie, a freshly-arrived varsity student, falls in love with her rescuer after an unusual attack. But what she doesn’t know, is that Alex is not the average boy-next- door.

She unknowingly witnesses the build-up to an ancient battle between the sun and the moon… and soon discovers that she is the centre pin of the battle.

Review:

If you like complicated plots, action, comedy, romance, and well rounded characters with a touch of the supernatural then this is the book for you. Wildly combines scientific theories with supernatural elements to create an exciting and intriguing story. The characters are the physical embodiment of stars and planets (think Sailor Moon here) and manifest powers that are similar to their respective planet/star's physical and chemical makeup. I remember the difficulty of my Astronomy class in college and I must commend Swanepoel for the sheer amount of research and attention to detail put into this story. I can see myself learning something new each time I read it. Honestly, I think I need to read it again just so I have a better understanding of what actually happened. This story is so complex, mysterious, and exciting that readers will pick it up again and again. The icing on the cake for me is that Swanepoel targets both adolescents and adults. The characters are college age so Wildly suits a wide variety of audiences. As of now it is free for Nooks. Check it out, it's worth the read.



Rating: 5 out of 5 owls



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Review: Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Genre: Fantasy | Faeries

Synopsis:

Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things. They were terrifyingly beautiful—too beautiful for words.

Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.

Laurel's life is the very definition of normal . . . until the morning when she wakes up to discover a flower blooming from her back. As it turns out, nothing in Laurel's life is what it seems. Now, with the help of an alluring faerie sentry who holds the key to her true past, Laurel must race to save her human family from the centuries-old faerie enemies who walk among them.

Review:

I believe my love for faeries began when I first watched Labyrinth, starring David Bowie. While I have always loved fairy tales (thanks Disney), I found the world of fae intriguing. I have read many books incorporating faeries, and I find Wings a refreshing twist on the typical faerie mythology. The female faeries actually have flower blossoms on their back in place of wings. Pike takes a scientific approach to the mythology while simultaneously building the romance that the teens are looking for.

However, despite this new take on an old myth, I found several things that annoyed me as an older reader. I have no sympathy for characters who are so beautiful that no one wants to be their friend. Except, they do have friends they are just too self-centered to acknowledge them. Laurel has this mentality and it is annoying. The first 30+ pages are focused on how Laurel has a difficult time fitting in not only because she was home schooled, but also because she is unnaturally beautiful. Yet, within those same pages she gets a new set of friends and a boyfriend. Yeah, some struggle. Furthermore, because she is so beautiful, Pike felt the need to insert a love triangle. I HATE love triangles. I understand that a key  component of adolescent literature  is a love triangle; however, I'm over it. When every YA novel has a love triangle the ingenuity and originality is gone. 

Despite these aspects that annoy me about the YA genre, once you get past the first  30-40  pages the story picks up and is very entertaining. It is easy to become attached to the characters, and the story has a steady pace. Check it out, it's worth the read.



Rating: 4 out of 5 owls



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Review: Black Waters by Maija Barnett

Genre: Fantasy | Mermaids

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old mermaid Abby Carson thought she had her secret under control. Who cares if after "the change" took place, she became so beautiful that all the girls at school hated her. And the boys, well, when they look at her, hate isn't exactly what's going through their minds.

But when Abby witnesses a teenage girl's murder by a preternatural creature off the coast of Cape Cod, her carefully controlled life slips into chaos. Hiding in the water until the killer's gone is a must. Getting spotted by Brian Baker, a boy from school, isn't. Neither is falling in love with him. That definitely wasn't part of the plan.

Combine all this with the mysterious mermaid box Abby receives as a postmortem birthday gift from her dad, and she's pulled even deeper into the world of shades and monsters. Once the full force of Abby's deadly siren powers are revealed, the only one she can hurt more than herself is the boy she loves.

Review:

Maija Barnett's Black Waters is a very interesting spin on the classic siren mythology. From the beginning I was intrigued by the darker aspects that surround Abby's existence. Sure, she's the stereotypical gorgeous girl that all the boys lust after and the girls hate; however, the twist that Abby is actually a siren instead of a mermaid was delightful and added more complexity to her character. Though her character is completely gullible and often annoying, Abby is endearing in the sense that she is so desperate for her mother's attention that the reader forgives her flaws. The story's transition from a disturbing murder mystery to scenes full of woeful teenage angst keeps the audience engaged and appeals to a variety of readers. Overall, what I enjoyed most from Barnett's novel were the intense and suspenseful plot devices that kept me on my toes and second guessing my instincts. 

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Rating: 4 out of 5 owls





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