A refreshing take on mermaid mythology
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**Originally reviewed at my blog, That Artsy Reader Girl. The copy I received was complimentary, in exchange for an honest review.**

I was totally justified in my drastic efforts to get this book early, because it is AMAZING. Make sure you clear your calendars, set aside some uninterrupted time, and prepare to be transported to another world!

1. This book is funny! Right at the beginning, Emma meets Galen by slamming face first into his bare chest at the beach in Florida. She was completely mortified. Her inner dialogue is hilarious. I was trying really hard not to laugh, because I didn't want anyone to hear me in the middle of the night. And the things she says out loud are funny too! "Ohmysweetgoodness." is a common outburst, along with "Fan-flipping-tastic". I could just hear them as I read them, and I'll admit I kind of giggled every time. There are serious moments as well, but I was not expecting the humor at all. It was a pleasant surprise.

2. I really liked all the characters. Emma is quirky, funny, a little eccentric, dramatic, a bit of an accident waiting to happen, and extremely skeptical. Her mom is ultra-protective, so much so that it becomes completely unbelievable, but funny at the same time. She means well, though. Galen is tall, dark, and handsome, and he is so sweet with Emma. Utterly swoon-worthy. I liked that he was not overprotective (although he's the jealous type, which I LOVE), but still showed how much he cared for her. His serious nature was a nice compliment to Emma's huge personality. I totally fell for him. Galen's "mom", Rachel is a human who is really Galen's assistant. She makes sure he knows everything he needs to know about humans, manages his money, and takes care of his on-land necessities. She's pretty funny as well. Then we have Galen's sister, Rayna, who has been "mated" (married) to Toraf without her consent. She's this rude, bitter, spunky grump who has a soft side if you're willing to take the time to find it. Her husband (whom she despises), Toraf is the concerned big brother type that pretty much everyone wishes they had in their own family. He's so funny, and I felt bad for him because of the way Rayna treated him. Heck, I'll take him if she's going to be such a brat about it! The entire cast (including unmentioned supporting characters) are all very likeable, and different enough from one another that you don't forget who's who.

3. I really loved the dual perspectives, with each chapter switching back and forth between Emma and Galen. I have a thing for male protagonists, so I loved jumping into Galen's head as well.

4. Anna's take on mermaid and Greek mythology was very refreshing. In this book, Poseidon is presented as a ruling Syrena (merman), rather than a Greek God. The Syrena have violet eyes, and can switch between having a fin and having legs. They can sense the electric pulse of one another in the water, which causes a lot of "duh dun" moments like in the movie Jaws, with some unknown Syrena swimming up and grabbing another one. The Syrena can also blend into the water, and become invisible. I thought it was pretty awesome. Oh, and Emma can talk to and control sea life. Can I do that?

5. There were some really intense moments! I was totally captivated and drawn in to them. I love a little suspense, and since this deals with the ocean, a scary place in my mind, I found myself biting my nails and burrowing deeper into my bed while I read.

6. The underwater scenes are gorgeous! This is why I love mermaid books. The author can turn the ocean into anything they want, and describe it any way they want. Pure imagination at its finest.

7. Ahhhh! The ending! I'm dying! Major cliffhanger, people, and my jaw completely dropped! But I LOVED IT! Is there a sequel? There has to be!

I would definitely recommend this to lovers of a new take on Greek mythology, mermaids, swoon-worthy male leads, a book that keeps you guessing, and some on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments. LOVED this book!
1991194
A new take on a well known tale, Skyes Lure paints an escapade of innocent romance found in mutual loneliness and curiosity. Re-imagining The Little Mermaid in a contemporary setting, Angel Leya introduces her readers to an unfolding of familiar events that culminate in the continuing pursuit of happiness and love. Tone and word choice geared towards a young adult audience, the simplicity of the characters should come as no surprise. The original story brief, Leya has chosen to follow a similar formula with a few twists providing much needed anticipation. Girls day out shopping and a blood thirsty broadcast journalist bring in a modern flare while a visit from the Sea King maintain a traditional feel reminding us of the stories origins. Some very imaginative undertones carry potential for further expanding of the Mer world should the author create a cast of characters in a sequel, prequel or tandem line of events. As a reader I sense Angel Leyas deep fascination and love for the idea of mermaids and I would hope she continues with the stories of Skye and Vince.
1260355
The Mermaid Girl is a beautifully crafted novella, full of stunning imagery.

Paulina was once a part of Carnival Lareille, the spectacular mermaid girl, bewildering the audience with her glittering tail and the ability to stay underwater for a long time. Until she met Daniel who swept her away and offered her a normal, settled down life. But even though Paulina found happiness with her family, she still misses her life in the carnival.

This was my first book by Erika Swyler and I know that it's a prequel story to her other one, The Book of Speculation but it managed to enchant me from the very first page. The novella is short, a bit over thirty pages but it carries so much substance inside, that it felt like I was reading a full book.

The Mermaid Girl tells two stories. Paulina loves her husband and her two children but she yearns for her past life in the carnival, where her days were filled with performances and magic, and standing in one place causes her to suffer from crippling migraines. Daniel, Paulina's husband, is happy with their life in a house on a cliff, but he's afraid that as Paulina brings back her carnival memories, she may disappear again.

It's not a fantasy story, yet it's got this magical quality and melancholic, bittersweet atmosphere. It really feels as if Paulina was a real mermaid, missing the ocean and suffocating on land. The writing is absolutely beautiful and mesmerising. When you read you can smell the salt, see the glittering red and green sequins and the sunshine gleaming on water waves.

The Mermaid Girl is a wonderful story that stands on its own, but after finishing it I cannot wait to pick up The Book of Speculation.

Disclaimer: I have kindly received a copy of this book from netgalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.
1844144
If I trust anyone to write a story about bloodthirsty mermaids its Mira Grant (Seanan McGuire) and she didn't disappoint.

If you love mermaids, being creeped out, nautical stuff, science facts, LGBT rep, possibly having nightmares, and horrible things that lurk in the great depths of the ocean, you will probably love this book as much as I do. If you love the ocean, it might make you not love it any more! Good thing for me, I already hate water and most of whats in it.

I know basically nothing about science. So I cant speak to the authenticity of the science that went into this book. However, its convincing to a plebe like me! Im willing to bet that Mira did her research based on the way she writes and the fact that she loves animals and also really creepy stuff. In order to write about creepy horrors that lurk deep in the ocean, you have to at least know a little about the creatures that already live down there. Mira built a mermaid that could believably lurk in the dark, highly pressurized depths of the ocean. She somehow managed to craft a monster that I imagined to be both beautiful (though not remotely close to the usual mermaid standards, ie: Ariel) and terrifying. Their teeth. Oh, gourd, their teeth!

Her characters, per usual, are on point. Mira writes strong women very well. I love her focus on science and women in the field. Five of the main females in this book work in the science field and they know their stuff. These ladies are diverse, smart, and believable. Theyre not just caricatures of strong women; they have faults and flaws. They are sometimes annoying or make bad decisions. There are certainly main male characters too, but it feels like they very subtly play second fiddle. Its hard to describe, but the way it felt for me was that Mira was able to pull of having the female cast be the focus of the novel without demeaning the men in any way. The cast is diverse too, including two deaf characters, a character dealing with paralysis and bisexual and lesbian characters.

Despite this book being a chunkster, it never felt slow. Despite this book containing a lot of science, I never felt bored. Despite this book containing a lot of scary scenes, I never feltoh wait, I was definitely scared! Mira is a master of what Ive dubbed the subtle freakout. She uses little snippets and quick details to build an incredible sense of foreboding in me. Having read her work before, I know that something creepy is coming, or characters will die, or horrible things will eventually be lurking around the corner, so when she gives these little clues Im immediately on high alert. I LOVE IT.

Sort of side note, one of the things that freaks me out the most is when I read about technological failures that occur without notice, or with little notice  you know its totally going to mess something up later, and yet people are just going on with their merry lives, while the little failures happen in the background. I CANT EVEN! If, like me, you enjoy this type of detail, Into the Drowning Deep has it.

Mira Grant is quickly becoming an all-time favorite author of mine. I still need to dive into more of her fantasy works, and read her Newsflesh series, but shes already on my auto-buy list and Im going to build up my collection of her already published works as soon as I can.

If you like strong female characters (written by a strong female), diversity and LGBT rep and horror with a heavy dose of science (but written in an accessible and totally creepy way) then I highly recommend any of her work. If you love tales about flesh-eating monsters that dwell in the depths of the ocean, I highly recommend Into the Drowning Deep!
2205877
Great book. It's a mixture of the Little Mermaid and Greek Myths.
3667339
Another fantasy-filled adventure with the Celtic Fae, Hamm recreates "The Little Mermaid" with danger, intrigue, and romance. Lovely storytelling and the introduction of characters, like the devilish Declan, who I want to know much more about. This was my kind of retelling of a familiar tale with a touch of darkness and of the creepy that had me turning every page. Though seemingly star-crossed lovers, Manus and Saoirse are actually made for each other.

Recommended to all lovers of Celtic folklore and fantasy romance.
3571554
I have always been very intrigued by mermaids and any stories about them. So it was easy to pick this book up and read it. This is a very fast read story. It only took two nights for me to read this, even if it was over 300 pages. From the first lines, this story captivates you. What I love about it is that the author takes the reader on a journey with Hannah. Instead of pointing out the obvious that she is a mermaid, there are little hints put throughout the story and the reader discover the truth with Hannah.

There are a few main characters with a bunch of other ones that just get mentioned once or twice. There's an OK amount of character development with the main characters. Although it gets to about middle of the story and the character development somewhat stops. This does not take away from the story though. It is still a very magical and fantastical story. It is a great read for any kids or kids at heart.

My biggest complaint was how abruptly it ended. The author built up the story and kept it going and then the last few pages suddenly came and then it was over. It seems like she is building up to more books. However, it felt extremely rushed, especially the last two pages that the magic almost just suddenly got snuffed out.

Overall, this book was very enjoyable and a great mermaid story. It keeps the magic throughout the book for the most part. I would definitely recommend this book to mermaid lovers as well as anyone who likes a good fairy tale/fantasy.
3461414
Absolutely loved it!!! Very creative take on mermaids and mermen! Very likeable and real characters, lots of detail without being tedious. Already reading the 2nd book! :)
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3.5 stars

The Mermaids of Lake Michigan did not at all play out the way I expected. And thats not really a bad thing. Just different.

I had in mind that Id be reading something a la Sarah Addison Allen and Lost Lake.  And while there IS the teeniest bit of magical realism at the end, its really not the focus of the book at all. Yet, the theme of mermaids carries on at a deeper level than first anticipated as well.

Though not a literal mermaid, Elise is certainly a fish out of water among her family and peers. Later, as she sheds her figurative fins for walking legs, she  much like the most famous of mermaids  discovers life on land isn't quite as perfect as shed imagined.

This is a short novel, a quick read, but it never feels rushed. The authors writing style flows smoothly, and she keeps the reader engaged with the story at every turn. Each character that Elise encounters has a purpose, whether its a brief meeting or a family member. These characters, as well as excellent examples of foreshadowing, all serve to advance the plot and to add more layers to Elises character.

No spoilers  but I felt a certain scene toward the end of the book seemed out of place. I get why its in there, but it threw me. And it just didn't fit with the tone of the story up until that part. Without it, I think the ending would have been just as poignant. Maybe even more so.

Bottom Line: If you're looking for a coming-of-age story that appeals to adolescents, young adults, and less-young adults, The Mermaids of Lake Michigan proves a compelling choice. It takes place around the 1970s so its not really contemporary, not really historical, but somewhere in between. Different than I expected at first glance, it continued to take me by surprise but overall I enjoyed this read.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)
1851322
THE MERMAIDS DAUGHTER is part love story, part fairy tale, and part magical retelling of the classic tale of the The Little Mermaid. It is a beautifully dark and passionate re-imagining which is only enhanced by the eloquence of the authors words. The well developed characters and their relationships to each other bring you deeper into a story that was originally told by Hans Christan Andersen. There is so much that I loved about this book, but what really grabbed me was the way the author presented this unbelievable tale and made it believable. There wasn't a moment that I didn't think that any of it was implausible. Then combine that with the mixture of operatic artistry, this tale is definitely one for those who love a magical yet not so perfect fairy tale.
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I honestly wasn't certain that I would like this book, but it was free and I'm a sucker for mermaids! I was so pleasantly surprised with this book.

The original design for the Dagonians (also love that they aren't mermaids, it's about time someone split up the underwater world into species), was really lovely. I thoroughly enjoyed that the creatures had flesh colored tails and the "scaled" bits we all know and love are actually clothing. It was a neat little detail that I really wasn't expecting at all.

The main character, Sara, was so incredibly lovely. I adored that she considered herself to be human for most of her life and managed to be happy and strong. This wasn't a book with someone who is disabled and lets it ruin her life. Oh she certainly wasn't happy about it, but not once did she pull a "pity me" attitude or consider herself to be less than anyone else. This more than anything made me love this character.

Xanthus is all you would want in an alpha male. He was courageous, he was kind, he was so thoughtful about her and willing to die for her. What more could you want? He was absolutely wonderful to read.

My only small complaint was that there were a few things that were left to the imagination. We never really find out what Sara's tail actually looks like. Does she have flippers instead of feet? And if so, how in the world did she hide those? If her legs were simply fused together, then how did she pee? Probably things that no one else would want to know, but man it really bothered me that I didn't get to find out.

Completely a worthy story to buy and have kicking around in your head. Unique and different from all other mermaid stories I have read, I will most definitely be buying the second.
3560477
Enjoyable read especially for fans of mythology.
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I suspected mermaids were the next wave in YA fantasy creatures, and Monstrous Beauty has proven that even if they aren't, they should be. Author Elizabeth Fama creates a well-defined mythos full of terror and the sorrow of never being able to love without tragic consequences. Many non-YA books wish they were as well conceived and constructed. Mermaids allow readers into the female side of the fantasy world in a way vampires and wizards have thus far been unable to do.

The history of a place like Plymouth, Massachusetts, makes it the perfect setting for a book like this. I was skeptical when I first picked this story up, but the setting and the history-loving protagonist drew me in even more than the vivid descriptions and mysterious atmosphere.

The best feature of this novel is that the origin story is interspersed with present-day chapters, so the reader not only has time to care about both sets of characters, but also to enjoy an important dramatic irony by the middle of the story. The reader knows what Hester is looking for better than she does, but the complete sequence of events only becomes clear at the end, when Hester herself finds out the final pieces of the puzzle. It's masterfully done.

One sticking point for me was Hester's antique perception of love=marriage=babies. Perhaps I just can't sympathize, but it seemed like a weird leap to me, and her admission near the climax of the book that she's planning to never have children (in order to escape her family's curse) fell a little flat for me because it was only logical. In the end, I decided to forgive it because the century-long curse really doesn't have any effect unless the women are having babies. There is a rape in this book, which is necessary because it sets all the other elements in motion to create the curse. Without it, there's no story. Or, at least, there could have been a happier one. That doesn't make it less disturbing.

In spite of the intertwining stories, the novel is fast paced. Hard to put down, especially for readers who love the ancient lore of the sea.
4554351
This was an easy fun read and I definitely enjoyed the premise: mermaids (or sirens) who must do their duty with males in order to procreate and assure the continuation of their species.  And, its hilarious that some of these lovely creatures actually manage to ENJOY doing their duty  ahhh, those naughty, lusty creatures who can appreciate a man with a good arse!  Our heroine creatures appreciation allows the reader to share in some delicious moments, very satisfying but yet  like ice cream  more is always wanted.

The authors dry humor is blended into the story throughout and the reader can only feel sympathy for the hapless Joe who eventually does gets lucky.  Will his luck continue in the next book?  I give it four and a half stars.
1022189
Of Poseidon was my first mermaid book, but the merfolk have found a friend in me.  It was funny and clever and highly entertaining.  I will definitely pick up the other mermaid offerings scheduled for release this year because of it.

By the second page of this novel, I already knew I was going to love the sarcastic, snarky voice of the main character Emma.  However, each chapter alternated between Emma's present-tense, first person point-of-view and a third person point-of-view with Galen's perspective.  Each POV has its perks, but you can deduce more of the story from Galen's vantage point.  Admittedly, this did lead to my own theories as to Emma's origins, and it became a tad predictable from there.

I enjoyed how strong the female characters in this novel were.  Emma may become a pile of goo whenever Galen is near her, but when her safety is compromised and he gets a little controlling, she lets him know in no uncertain terms that she doesn't take orders from him.  And Galen's twin sister Rayna has all but taken a vow of celibacy to avoid a forced marriage to Toraf, her brother's best friend and her would-be mate.  Of course, that all changes later in the book, but it was nice to see the girls taking charge of themselves and their relationships in the beginning, at least.

I do wish more of the world of the Syrena had been explored, but I realize that the focus of this first novel is getting Emma to acknowledge her gift and everything that entails.  The story developed rather quickly after that initial encounter between Emma and Galen, and even with the somewhat predictable nature of the story arc, there was never  a dull moment.

If you're a fan of mermaids, snark, and/or romances with a twist, I'd recommend Of Poseidon.  It was a light, fun read and it helped me break out of my reading slump.  Of Poseidon was an engaging debut and I can't wait to read what happens next!
3610823
Of course I was super excited for The Summer of Chasing Mermaids. I mean, it's a contemporary retelling of The Little Mermaid, with an interracial romance! Elyse has left her home in Tobago because it holds too many painful memories of what she lost. She just can't breathe there, so she heads to Atargatis Cove, Oregon to stay with her aunt and cousin. While there she gets caught up in a plan to save the cove from commercial development, finds her voice, and finds true love.

The Summer of Chasing Mermaids was definitely unique and interesting. I don't think I've read a book that focused so heavily on sailing and seaside tourism before. Christian's (the love interest) father and the mayor make a bet for the upcoming pirate regatta. If Christian wins, he gets the mayor's boat. If he loses, Christian's father must sell the houses to the development project. Well, no one wants to give up their summer homes. The cove is full of happy memories, so Christian is determined to win. Elyse has the sea in her blood, so she becomes his first mate and helps him get his boat race ready. While this was a unique plot, I can't say that I full cared. This whole bet business seemed silly, and I didn't believe for a second that Christian's father would stick to his word, so it was kind of a waste of their time.

What I did really love about The Summer of Chasing Mermaids was the challenging of gender roles! Of course, Christian's father takes issue with Elyse being first mate. He thinks she should stick to the mermaid parade because she's a woman. Well, Elyse is having none of that! She knows the sea and she knows boats; she's racing! Then there's the matter of Christian's little brother, Sebastian. He wants to march in the mermaid parade, but his father says no because he's suppose to be a man! And the parade coordinators say no because he's suppose to be with the boys in the pirate parade! I was actually quite surprised that my favorite part would be centered around a child, but Sebastian is wise beyond his years. He's six, so he doesn't know that he's making a statement about gender roles. He just knows that he's the only one who believes in mermaids, so he should be allowed to participate!

I also really enjoyed the romance. It's not insta-love at all. Elyse and Christian work side-by-side for weeks. There's definitely an attraction there and some kissing. They get to know each other super well over the course of the story. Even though Elyse can't speak, she opens up to him in ways she hasn't with anyone since the accident. Christian is just as open with her. Then things get sexy!

I did really enjoy The Summer of Chasing Mermaids. It did feel long at times, since I wasn't fully invested in this community project to save the Cove. I wanted to see more of Elyse rediscovering herself and of course, the romance! I am curious about what comes after the ending though. It just kind of ends. I assume things work out for the better, but maybe they don't and plans change? I don't know. It felt hopeful to me though.

*Disclaimer: I received this book as part of the blog tour for review. No compensation was offered or accepted.
175636
The premise of Lost Voices definitely puts a new twist on Mermaid YA fiction.  There's no sweet innocent Triton like fatherly figure to help our protagonist along. No talking fish, no warm fuzzies, no handsome prince... What you will get instead is a hauntingly beautiful work of fiction, dark and mysterious and at times also deeply disturbing. Lost Voices had me completely and totally hooked and I devoured every page (and then the second book in a single night right after).

For YA fiction, it's surprisingly mature in some of its themes. What happens to all the girls in the world who are so horribly abused by the evil of the adults around them that they give up hope on their human lives? They turn into Mermaids... and in retribution for the abuse they suffered in their past lives at the hands of humans, have the power to sing these humans to the depths of the ocean to die.  Our main character is different than the rest though, she fights the desire to kill from the beginning, and is determined to find ways to use her voice for things besides killing, and unlocks strange and wonderful powers that no other mermaid would have ever dreamed of.

I highly recommend this book if you enjoy Mermaid fiction.  Don't let the YA label fool you. This book is in a class all it's own.