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groundedwanderlust's review against another edition
5.0
It has taken me eight years to finally track down a decent copy of this book (I won the 3rd book in this series from a summer reading program, but lost it in a move)! Boy am I glad I finally managed it!!! I really, really loved this book. Niniane (what a cool name), aka Nia, is probably one of my favorite characters ever!
emlickliter's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
5.0
Ascension by Kara Dalkey – This is a book that my friend Anna recommended (she always had great taste!). Fun mermaid YA story! Happy Reading!
kbeddes's review against another edition
3.0
Genre: fantasy,
Summary: Nia is a young mermyd from the city of Atlantis. She wants to be chosen as the next Avatar (the mermyd companion to the Farworlder prince). Farworlders are a squid-like alien with magical powers who unite with a mermyd and together with ten other companions they help rule Atlantean society. Nia is upset when her clan chooses another representative to participate in the Trials that will determine the next Avatar. As Nia does some digging, she finds that Atlantis is not the utopia that it once promised to be. Nia must save her city from the greed of banished Farworlder and his companion mermyd. This is the first in the series of three.
Response: As a general rule, I don't like series books. There is too much left hanging after the first one. It is an uncomfortable feeling knowing that much more has to take place before the story is over. This series is done by the same author who wrote Little Sister and The Heavenward Path both of which I enjoyed thoroughly. This book was pretty good. It takes quite a bit of suspended belief because it deals with mermaids and aliens. It is a little stretch of the imagination, to be sure. However, it is a pretty good mystery, even though you have to read the others in the series to see the end.
Summary: Nia is a young mermyd from the city of Atlantis. She wants to be chosen as the next Avatar (the mermyd companion to the Farworlder prince). Farworlders are a squid-like alien with magical powers who unite with a mermyd and together with ten other companions they help rule Atlantean society. Nia is upset when her clan chooses another representative to participate in the Trials that will determine the next Avatar. As Nia does some digging, she finds that Atlantis is not the utopia that it once promised to be. Nia must save her city from the greed of banished Farworlder and his companion mermyd. This is the first in the series of three.
Response: As a general rule, I don't like series books. There is too much left hanging after the first one. It is an uncomfortable feeling knowing that much more has to take place before the story is over. This series is done by the same author who wrote Little Sister and The Heavenward Path both of which I enjoyed thoroughly. This book was pretty good. It takes quite a bit of suspended belief because it deals with mermaids and aliens. It is a little stretch of the imagination, to be sure. However, it is a pretty good mystery, even though you have to read the others in the series to see the end.
nickrockfitz's review against another edition
3.0
It was much better when I read it in high school. Now, I didn't find the story as interesting as I remembered but I guess I just wanted to revisit the story.
marenag416's review against another edition
5.0
I read this in middle school and I loved it! It took me about another 10 years to find all three books at my book resale store, but I'm really glad I found them.
vel629vet's review against another edition
4.0
Strongly believe that I will have a different opinion of this book than I did 8 years ago. Strongly believe it will be a diminished one. But I have to know....
Ok, finished. Definitely wasn't as enthralled as I was the first time I read it, but it got better as it went along. The ending is so cliffhanger, I'm rather disappointed that the rest of the series isn't from the same point of view.
Overall, it's a well thought out book about a hidden book. Dalkey takes what could be a very cliche idea and turns it into something original, which is great.
Ok, finished. Definitely wasn't as enthralled as I was the first time I read it, but it got better as it went along. The ending is so cliffhanger, I'm rather disappointed that the rest of the series isn't from the same point of view.
Overall, it's a well thought out book about a hidden book. Dalkey takes what could be a very cliche idea and turns it into something original, which is great.
lizziwa's review against another edition
4.0
This was a childhood favorite, and it didn’t disappoint as an adult re-read! It’s just such a cool, magical world. I love that the author found an interesting way to merge si-fi and fantasy. I wish this book got more attention! I actually think it may be out of print when i tried to find it (luckily i found my old copies!!)
Super interested in reading the rest of these books again when I get the chance. (Ps. The twist at the end of this series is so frickin cool)
Super interested in reading the rest of these books again when I get the chance. (Ps. The twist at the end of this series is so frickin cool)
skrobisaurus's review
4.0
This held up far better than I thought it would! Sometimes it borders on dumbing things down for kids but, for the most part, it kept me engaged and intrigued. The dialogue may be somewhat stilted but I love the world-building (and the surprisingly death-filled ending!) .
axs5609's review
5.0
This is such a cool version of Atlantis and prequel to Arthurian mythology! Dalkey really put thought into how living underwater would affect daily life - from concepts of beauty to how daily activities would have to be adjusted for people who had to constantly move to breathe. The narrative is engaging and quickly paced, keeping you engaged the whole way through.
An awesome read!
An awesome read!
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