Young Adult
Pages: 352 pages
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Release Date: July 13, 2010
Seventeen-year-old Vanessa Sands is afraid of everything—the dark, heights, the ocean—but her fearless older sister, Justine, has always been there to coach her through every challenge. That is, until Justine goes cliff-diving one night near the family’s vacation house in Maine, and her lifeless body washes up on shore the next day.
Though her parents hope that they’ll be able to find closure back in Boston, Vanessa can’t help feeling that her sister’s death wasn’t an accident. After discovering that Justine was keeping a lot of secrets, Vanessa returns to Winter Harbor, hoping that Justine’s boyfriend might know more. But Caleb has been missing since Justine’s death.
Soon, it’s not just Vanessa who’s afraid. All of Winter Harbor is abuzz with anxiety when another body washes ashore, and panic sets in when the small town becomes host to a string of fatal, water-related accidents in which all the victims are found, horrifically, grinning from ear to ear.
Vanessa turns to Caleb’s brother, Simon, for help, and begins to find herself drawn to him. As the pair try to understand the sudden rash of creepy drownings, Vanessa uncovers a secret that threatens her new romance—and will change her life forever.
I may need to change my ratings to include 4.5. I was so worried that I wouldn't like this. The summary was kind of dull and uninteresting, not to mention... long. However, I enjoyed this way too much. It was the first time I read about mermaids and I think she did a really good job about it. The plot kept me interested throughout the whole book. The writing was really good and the plot kept unfolding beautifully while it still kept me intrigued until the end. I'm really enjoying this twist in supernatural where the romance is not really an issue... It's there and it's yummy, but they don't fight and make up over and over again.
Example: I like him, but he's dangerous. *insert supernatural mystery* But I like him, he's so so hot and so incredibly rude to me, so now I think he doesn't like me. But I like him, but he did this terrible thing to me and he has dark, dangerous secrets. But, I suddenly discover he sacrificed *blank* for me! Sigh. *insert supernatural mystery resolution (for which we have been waiting the whole book) Passionate kiss. He now says he cant live without me. Awww. The End.
Maybe that makes no sense to some of you, but I hope someone knows what I mean. Anyhow, that is not the case here, thank god. So if you are a paranormal/supernatural lover, or a hard-to-please paranormal/supernatural lover this book is for you.
Ooh, mermaids! I'll have to have a read of this one day, it sounds quite unusual. I'm glad the romance is a bit more realistic too.. you made sense!
ReplyDeleteHahaha that made perfect sense to me! LOL! I don't mind if the romance is an issue, but I like there to be other big issues too. I'll have to check this one out when its released, mermaids sound refreshing.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked this one! I haven't read a mermaid book either yet so that's why I signed up to get this one.
ReplyDeleteAnd LOL I completely get the example though I'm guilty of loving a few stories with that sort of guideline.
Loved your review. And your spot on about many of the paranormal romances these days. Made perfect sense and made me laugh. Personally, I'm happier with an urban fantasy that's more action than romance. Mermaids are fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to this one. Glad to see I won't be disappointed.
glad you enjoyed this, it sounds good :) great review!
ReplyDeleteYour example TOTALLY made sense to me. I feel like I'm so burnt out on these paranormal romances because the plot is the exact same for ALL of them. Maybe they're pixies... or vampires... or werewolves, but it's the same trials of love every time. Predictable. And somewhat annoying.
ReplyDeleteSOunds like something for The Story Siren ;)
ReplyDeleteAWESOME! I hope this book gets a UK release date. I just love everything that you said in your review.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the review! Come to think of it, aside from 'The Little Mermaid', I don't believe I've read a mermaid book, myself. *ponders* Might have to change that as this one does sound rather good. (Oh, and I totally understood what you meant in the little ramble there....) =0)
ReplyDeleteIt made sense to me! Great review, thanks! x
ReplyDeleteI love the cover of the book !! Hmm, the synopsis sounds pretty mysterious…! love the sound of it :)
ReplyDeleteI want to read this book so much, it sounds so good. I haven't read a romance in ages, and with a gruesome twist, it sounds like a thriller... I wish I could read it now!
ReplyDeletethis book rocks! 1 of the best books i ever read! reread it 3 times going on 4. cant wait for undercurrent and siren3! cant explain how much i LOVE this book!!!!
ReplyDeletei have read this book and its amazing ! even though i am more into vampires and that, i loved the dark twists to the mermaids and the romance in it isnt to little or to much and fits in with the story well.
ReplyDeletewhat i loved about it the most is that you heart races all the time when something unexpected happens and that is pretty much all the time ! the plot is really good and i love how you follow vanessa through the whole story.
a book tottaly worth reading !