Coral and Bone (The Siren Chronicles #1 ) by Tiffany Daune | ARC | A Book Review

I know I have said before that I have read quite a few mermaid stories this year. This book is one of them. This is also a totally unique mermaid story from the others that I have read. The story is about mermaids and sirens. In here, the mermaids are the bad guys which is not usually the case. That alone is already a good start to story.

Halen is girl who got sparks from her fingertips. They're like lightning. Tage and her were running from a boy who just came into their house and they both ended up swimming out to sea. When Halen woke up, she was in a different world and secrets about her real identity and about her life had started to surface. One person who he thought was dead was actually alive and now, she must fulfill her destiny, destroy everything or run away from it all.

There was a part of the story that was a bit hazy for me. The part were Halen was talking to Asair in his lair was not so clear to me. Somehow, I did not care much about what their conversation was. In away, it was a bit uninteresting for me. I am not so sure. But I might have fallen asleep during this part. But I am glad that it somehow ended well, though it's obvious that there is a next book. Despite that part where I might have daydreamed or my mind was somewhere else, I actually wanted to read the next book. I'm curious as to what's going to happen Halen. The ending hinted that she somehow did not fully escaped the darkness and Asair's influence. So, that's what's to be expected in the next installment. How that part would come into play when Halen is not entirely herself anymore after her encounter with Asair is totally to watch for.  

Other than that, I think I enjoyed the story. The secrets and all the things that were kept from Halen are really interesting things that would keep you glued the story. Knowing that Halen actually have some other immediate family members that she still had to meet is also a good reason to follow the series. I am especially curious when that other family member will turn up and come face to face with Halen and if Halen will be able to free that person from whatever is keeping her.

And of course, the romance part of the story is also still in it's early stages, so a lot could still happen. I'm pretty sure when that long-lost family member makes an appearance, she will definitely cause chaos and confusion, especially with these two would be lovers --Halen and Dax. Definitely, that person will affect the relationship of these two.

So, there's a lot to be expected in the development of this story and that makes me so curious. I am still looking for a review copy of the second book and haven't found one yet. Hopefully, I would be able to because I wanted to find out if my theories are correct. So, with that said, I give this book 4/5 silver bracelets with star charms.

Every day is filled with impossibility, until you have chosen to see the possible. Once you make the shift to see, life is a less frightening journey. 

Love thrived with trust and wilted with lies. 

Forgiveness is as easy as love. Letting go is the hard part.

- Tiffany Daune, Coral and Bone - 

Thank you again Tiffany Daune and Ben of Oftomes Publishing for the copy. Sorry for the very delayed posting of the review. 

Emerge (Mer Chronicles #1) by Tobie Easton | A Book Review

I don't know how many mermaid books I have read this year. Honestly, I have read quite a few and each one is different from the other. It's actually interesting being able to read different takes and versions of mermaid stories. I've always loved Disney's The Little Mermaid. So, I was just so happy to find out that this book is a retelling of the same fairy tale though it's more on Hans Christian Andersen's version. 

This is a totally different version of Disney or Anderson's version. I think it's actually a refreshing adaptation which puts the famous Little Mermaid star on a darker shade. Yes, in this retelling, The Little Mermaid's story did not have a happy ending which provides a background story of how Lia's story came to be. So, following the events after The Little Mermaid's last action to claim her one true love, a war broke out in the mermaid kingdom. As an aftermath of that war, some Mer people decided to leave and stay on land and hide their identities.

I think, the thing that strikes me most about the story is the author's version of The Little Mermaid's story. I was impressed. I like it. I like it because it's such a very unexpected turn of events. It somehow puts The Little Mermaid in such a bad light that had caused a series of unfortunate events for her descendants and the rest of the Seven Seas. I think it's such a radical way of setting the stage for this retelling but I think it really works. It's totally an out-of-the-box way to put it and I just love it because it's so unforeseen. I would never have thought to actually think of the story going that way, especially, on my favorite fairy tale character and story. I don't know how many times I've watched The Little Mermaid or sang the OST and imagining I was Ariel. I'm just totally impressed by the background story. I just can't stress that enough.

Lia's character is very relatable because she's going through the same things teenagers are dealing with. Though, I'm sure, no one can relate to being a Mermaid on land. Anyways, she's been a really good teenager until she's forced to break the rules when the new girl seems to have a bigger chance of ending up with the boy she wants. It's a normal teenage love triangle until the secrets and the darker elements were added in. The competition now comes with much more devastating consequences. And the game changes because it's not just about natural charms and wit anymore, it's more than that. It's a much more threatening display of powers and abilities that is beyond the reaches of dry land. So, Lia is forced to tap into her family's ancient abilities and secrets to even up the playing field. The one that she was sworn to never ever do.

I love that this story has a mix of intrigue and mystery. I enjoyed Caspian and Lia playing detective. I also love that most of the characters in the story are named after precious stones. The last name Nautilus is also very perfect. It reminds me of Captain Nemo's submarine in Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. I enjoyed that story and the series adaptation SeaQuest very much. May Jonathan Brandis and Roy Scheider rest in peace. 

Ah, this is very exhilarating. It's refreshing. I give this book 5/5 swimsuits. I just love how this was adapted to the original Andersen story. Yes, sometimes happy endings are overrated and finding another story with a totally unique twist is just so entertaining. I can't wait for the next book. Good thing I already have it with me courtesy of Month9Books. I will soon dive into the world of Lia and her friends again. 

How can you narrow down to a few paltry words something that means everything?

- Tobie Easton, Emerge - 

Thank you Month9Books and Tobie Easton for the copy.

Children of Neptune (Children of Neptune #1) by Makenna Snow | A Book Review

I have always been fascinated with mermaids. There's just some haunting yet adorable quality about them. I can't count how many times I have watched Disney's "Little Mermaid". And lately, books about mermaids seem to end up in my arms. This is the second book of three about mermaids that I read this year. I got this one from Netgalley.

So, this is a story of a 16-year old princess. An heir to the throne and is next in line to take over the rule of the kingdom of mermaids. They're in an invisible island protected by Neptunes's power from humans. This princess is Jet. She's homeschooled and is very much protected from the life of ordinary teenagers in their kingdom. Then, out of a suggestion from one of the members of the council, Jet is to join the high school and mingle with the people. This is also a way for the royal family to reach out and appease the people's increasing unease and distrust of the ruling family. To Jet, it's really a challenge because she doesn't know how ordinary teenagers act or what they do for fun. Add to that an assignment his father, the king, had entrusted to her. She had to succeed in it because a lot is at stake.

This is like mythology meets the modern world. It's a fusion of those two things. The story obviously talks about the descendants of Neptune, God of the sea. They're sheltered from humans and yet they also have their own technology which to humans could be compared to the internet and mobile phones. Just because they're from the old world, doesn't mean they have to remain in the old era.

It's amusing to watch Jet blunder through high school and learn things all on her own. She has a lot of things to learn and it doesn't help that there's a teacher that's out to make sure that she doesn't succeed. It's more than she bargained for. Like a normal high school, she gets to meet the most popular girl and of course, crushing on the cutest and kindest guy in the campus. Jet has to prove that she's not just a fragile princess and that she too can hold her own even out of her comfort zone or more appropriately a fish out of water.

What I really like about the story is the fact that Jet can talk to animals and she has this really cute pet sable named Peppercorn. The name is even too cute. I can just imagine Peppercorn being cute and cuddly. Jet has the ability to talk to animals and her conversations with Sable are just so hilarious. Listening to their conversations, it would sound like Sable is the older of the two. It seemed like sarcasm is Peppercorn's forte and Jet is not exempted from that. Often, Jet is the target and recipient but it's also evident that these two have a very close and special bond that cannot be questioned. Peppercorn is first and foremost loyal to Jet and she knows how Jet thinks and often, she's like Jet's conscience and her number one motivator. I really like the relationship of these two.

With regard to the background story and how Jet's people came to be, the author did provide enough background and history for the readers to understand how the kingdom sprang out and how humans didn't even know they exist. And as the story progresses, more information about families, other characters, rivalries and hidden agendas were unveiled. Apparently, envy and the thirst for power is not only a weakness for humans but for Neptune's children as well. 

The Quadrivium. A lot of the things and events in this book happened or is centered in this place. This is their high school. The council has a meeting chamber within the campus also. A lot of whispered conversations and plans are plotted and conspired within its walls. It's halls and rooms are privy to a lot of secrets. 

This story also reminds me of Nancy Drew. Jet being given a special assignment by no less than the king and also because she has a personal stake in the success of the mission. So, like Nancy Drew, Jet has a tendency to stick her nose in places and things bigger than her. Like the young spy, Jet has a very strong instinct and often her gut feel would lead to interesting places and stumble into very unexpected discoveries.

All in all, this is an interesting story with a lot things thrown into the mix. There's mystery and conspiracy. There's myth and then some elements of modern technology also thrown in. It also talks about relationship between parents and children. How some parents wanted to carve a path for their children and these kids have no choice but to strictly follow that path. To stray from it would be tantamount to disloyalty and a disgrace to the name and family. There are also children who try to protect their parents instead of the other way around. So, different parent-child relationships are explored here which is what makes this story relevant to the modern YA readers. I appreciate that even if there are a lot of things happening in this story. The significance of the message about that vital yet fragile relationship between father-daugther or father-son or mother-daughter is not lost in the colorful mythical background and the host of varied and complicated characters. It actually stands out without really giving obvious emphasis to it. 

I give the book 4/5 cute sables. I think there are two things that I love the most about this story. One is Jet's character having to be a princess, a Nancy Drew wanna be and a female version of Dr. Doolittle. So, the clueless princess actually turned out to be something very incredible and not because it's inherent in her. She had to work through most of the things and even had the scratches and bruises to prove them. She's not afraid to earn her place and get her hands dirty, which is actually admirable in a princess. The second thing that shines out of this story is as I have said, the subtle exploration of a parent and a child's relationship. Again, it's not the focus of the story but somehow it finds it's way in the center of things and in the thick of things. It floats out to the surface. It's the common element among the characters. How that relationship plays into the formation of that certain character in this story and how it also contributes to how those characters end up in the last pages of this first book.

Our futures may be mapped out for us, but there's always more than one route to a destination.

- Makenna Snow, Children of Neptune - 

Thank you again, Netgalley and Makenna Snow for the copy.

Deep Waters by Alicia Rades | ARC | A Book Review

This is the second book by Alicia Rades that I read. The first one was Fire in Frost. I was supposed to also write a review on it but unfortunately, I had the incorrect picture. I had to take another photo. So, the review will have to wait a little longer.

I was right on my impression that this book is about mermaids. Yes, it is. This is about the town of Sea Haven where its inhabitants are not allowed to leave the boundaries. The residents of Sea Haven are descendants of powerful mermaids and to keep their powers and secrets from the outside world, they are to remain in the town for their protection. Until, Bree Waters saw something she was not supposed to see and was banished to a college in Michigan.

The story centers around Bree and her quest to unravel the secrets of her hometown. Why was she sent outside of Sea Haven when no one is allowed to leave it? Why are her powers taken? She had a lot of questions and it seems that even her dad is not answering them. She resolved that she will find a way to get back her powers and then leave Sea Haven as it no longer is home for her. The person she trusted most, her Dad, betrayed her. She would be better off somewhere else.

It was very gutsy of Bree to seek the help of Noah. I think desperation was making her brave. What have she got to lose? Oh, she lost it all already, so what the hell, right? Off she went and fortunately, Noah agreed to help her cause. They also recruited the help of Bree's best friend Liana. They succeeded to get their powers back only to find that they can't leave the town anymore with it. Ah, what a bummer! What to do now?

It seemed like Bree gets into another problem right after she solved one. Will it ever end? More questions keep popping up. In the end, it was all revealed why. It seemed like what she had to go through, she didn't need to at all.  If only everything was explained to her. The best about everything is that she doesn't need to leave anymore and she found a new friend in Noah. 

I give this book 3/5 bottle necklaces. I think the story was a bit short. I wanted it to be longer. Good thing the ending was neat and all the questions were answered. Nothing was left hanging. 

I'd never though I'd lose my magic. I always thought of it as a constant, as something I'd always have, like my heartbeat or my thoughts.

- Alicia Rades, Deep Waters -