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janina_reads's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. The underwater setting was interesting and described vividly. I liked how the background and structure of the mermaid society were included in the story. The author inserted some sea vocabulary without trying too hard to be funny/authentic.
The voice of the main character, Nia, seemed young for a 16-year-old, but not in a annoying way. I liked her a lot.
The book was very short (only 235 pages with a big font), so in the end, I felt like some parts – especially the love story and Nia's relationship with her parents – remained a little flat. There was a lot more potential in those issues. I'm not sure how things will developed, though; it's the first book in a trilogy after all.
But the mystery part of the story was compelling and very unpredictable. There were a lot of twist I would never have expected.
So, if Olivia hadn't mentioned that the second book in this trilogy is a big step down, I would definitely read it ;).
The voice of the main character, Nia, seemed young for a 16-year-old, but not in a annoying way. I liked her a lot.
The book was very short (only 235 pages with a big font), so in the end, I felt like some parts – especially the love story and Nia's relationship with her parents – remained a little flat. There was a lot more potential in those issues. I'm not sure how things will developed, though; it's the first book in a trilogy after all.
But the mystery part of the story was compelling and very unpredictable. There were a lot of twist I would never have expected.
So, if Olivia hadn't mentioned that the second book in this trilogy is a big step down, I would definitely read it ;).
thecanadianbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Only vaguely remember it, but this book was the book that started my love affair with fantasy books. So I will forever be thankful for that. I was 10-11 when I found it in a bookstore the year it came out.
readcover2cover's review against another edition
3.0
I've had this on my shelf forever (like since middle or high school), and finally decided to read it since it was clearly a quick read. I was surprised that I quite enjoyed it. It wasn't the greatest book ever or anything, but I expected to read a chapter and put it down. I'm glad it was a bit more enjoyable than I expected. It was about Nia, a young "mermyd" living in Atlantis. She is the favorite to be the next avatar and protector of Atlantis but is surprised and disappointed when she isn't even chosen to compete for the title. Some mystery surrounds those that are chosen and Nia learns that her perfect city isn't quite so perfect. I think I would actually even like to read the next one if I find it and get around to at it some point. :)
librovert's review against another edition
3.0
Nia is a young mermyd, supremely qualified to become an Avatar of the city of Atlantis, and awaiting the day when she is chosen to compete in the trials to become an Avatar. When her less qualified cousin is chosen to represent the Bluefin clan in the trials, she begins to unravel the dark secrets kept by her family and the Avatars of Atlantis.
Though I haven't read much in the way of mermaid fantasy, I did enjoy the unique twists on their civilization that seem like they would make the mermyds of Dakley's world stand out among the rest. Some of her mermyds have legs, others have the characteristic fins, and those of the Sealion clan even has fur in lieu of scales on their fins (which I found exceptionally clever!).
The big "twist" doesn't happen until the last two chapters of the book, which leaves just enough time for a huge cliffhanger, so I definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a stand alone book.
Though I haven't read much in the way of mermaid fantasy, I did enjoy the unique twists on their civilization that seem like they would make the mermyds of Dakley's world stand out among the rest. Some of her mermyds have legs, others have the characteristic fins, and those of the Sealion clan even has fur in lieu of scales on their fins (which I found exceptionally clever!).
The big "twist" doesn't happen until the last two chapters of the book, which leaves just enough time for a huge cliffhanger, so I definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a stand alone book.
amiesce's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Body horror and Animal death
princessleia4life's review against another edition
I found this unbearably boring.
snazel's review against another edition
3.0
This was written before the YA Dystopian genre really took off, and I was surprised to see how much dystopian has calcified into a form. I kept being startled by who was helpful and who wasn't, who had ulterior motors and what they were.
cheerssteph's review against another edition
1.0
Re-read of this book I liked as a kid. It's not great :| Gotta leave these childhood love books in the past!
cassmarlatt's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of my favourite series as a child. I haven’t read it in probably 15 years, so I thought, why not? I was worried it wouldn’t hold up after all these years, but I still enjoyed it a lot. I think if you go into the story realizing that it was meant for a younger audience, you won’t have too many problems with it. I still think the concept is so cool and would definitely recommend it to anyone (even an older reader) looking for a quick, easy read.