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kelseybea's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rachel_loves_2_read's review
5.0
Unexpectedly wonderful
I don’t like The Little Mermaid and haven’t liked a retelling I’ve seen or read yet. But this one I really liked. I’m so glad I didn’t pass this book up
I don’t like The Little Mermaid and haven’t liked a retelling I’ve seen or read yet. But this one I really liked. I’m so glad I didn’t pass this book up
jenbsbooks's review
3.0
I really liked the first two books in this series, this one didn't quite connect (even though "The Little Mermaid" and Ariel and Eric are favorites of mine). I just didn't totally get into the story, and there were a few things that I questioned ...
In chapter 3, Erich is remembering the ball (from book 1) where his brother Aden was turned into a beast. "His only complaint was that the evening had been cut short." Boy - he's a little shallow if he's more concerned about losing out on an evening of dancing than his brother being attacked.
Robin - we're being set up for book 5, it's pretty obvious. Erich lets the name slip (connection to the oldest, Ian), then we figure out that Erich and Robin meet again, even though her name isn't mentioned. But then it's mentioned that Aizel is looking for "the leader" of the resistance, but when it's first mentioned, it's like Aizel is just given the name, not that she knows her personally. Later on, it IS like she's a personal friend. I just had to go back (put a search in my Kindle) to see if I missed something, but I didn't.
When thugs come upon Aizel and Erich, and favor Aizel, and ask "why haven't you removed her necklace?" ... WHY didn't Mr. Thug remove her necklace? He just left, with it still on, and Erich doesn't remove it until quite a bit later.
When Aizel is afraid for her sister's life "she wanted to stamp her foot into the ground and shout the angriest song she could think of." In the next few lines it does indicate that she IS more upset, but the "wanted to stamp her foot" just made me think of a little child throwing a tantrum.
A few things seemed a little TOO convenient (Peter's connection), and the whole Erich/Aden meet-up (happened in book 2, barely referred to here, felt forced/unnatural).
So ... 2.5 stars. I do think I'll continue on, but this one just didn't do it for me.
In chapter 3, Erich is remembering the ball (from book 1) where his brother Aden was turned into a beast. "His only complaint was that the evening had been cut short." Boy - he's a little shallow if he's more concerned about losing out on an evening of dancing than his brother being attacked.
Robin - we're being set up for book 5, it's pretty obvious. Erich lets the name slip (connection to the oldest, Ian), then we figure out that Erich and Robin meet again, even though her name isn't mentioned. But then it's mentioned that Aizel is looking for "the leader" of the resistance, but when it's first mentioned, it's like Aizel is just given the name, not that she knows her personally. Later on, it IS like she's a personal friend. I just had to go back (put a search in my Kindle) to see if I missed something, but I didn't.
When thugs come upon Aizel and Erich, and favor Aizel, and ask "why haven't you removed her necklace?" ... WHY didn't Mr. Thug remove her necklace? He just left, with it still on, and Erich doesn't remove it until quite a bit later.
When Aizel is afraid for her sister's life "she wanted to stamp her foot into the ground and shout the angriest song she could think of." In the next few lines it does indicate that she IS more upset, but the "wanted to stamp her foot" just made me think of a little child throwing a tantrum.
A few things seemed a little TOO convenient (Peter's connection), and the whole Erich/Aden meet-up (happened in book 2, barely referred to here, felt forced/unnatural).
So ... 2.5 stars. I do think I'll continue on, but this one just didn't do it for me.
otherworldlyreader's review
2.0
The first book in this series was well thought out and well written. The second book suffered a little bit where the romance felt forced at first before it felt natural. This book just suffered. It felt forced at times, overly drawn out where the author mentioned every little mundane detail and the romance was more on the insta-love side of things for how suddenly they came to the realization that they loved each other. Overall, this book just needed some serious TLC as it just didn't have the quality to it that the previous two books had. Elrich seemed like a very underdeveloped character which might of been half the problem? I mean the author had him think something and then say it in the next breath, like he couldn't think for himself or convey something with an action without it having to be explained. And too, all the winded monologues from the two main characters was just a little too much for me.
My only two favorite things about this book was the war aspect and how Robin was involved (she seems like an interesting character). And the other aspect I loved is that Ashlin was reunited with her father, which made me happy for her.
Overall I would read the first two books and skip out on this one entirely.
My only two favorite things about this book was the war aspect and how Robin was involved (she seems like an interesting character). And the other aspect I loved is that Ashlin was reunited with her father, which made me happy for her.
Overall I would read the first two books and skip out on this one entirely.
constant2m's review
5.0
Emily is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors of fairy tale retellings. Her latest book is no exception. In this twist on the Little Mermaid, Aizel has her voice silenced and is tasked with killing a prince. If she fails, not only will she not get her voice back, but her sister will be killed. The twist is that she doesn't want to kill the prince. Instead, she hopes she can convince him to work with her to save her sister. Actually, there are quite a few twists pertaining to past and future characters. I love this series so much!
Each book in this series shows the hero standing up to the villain, but even more importantly, dealing with their internal struggles. Erich, who has always been confident in his own abilities, faces several new challenges, most importantly, judging people on their character and actions rather than rumors and stereotypes. Aizel is a Majis, but she is nothing like the tales Erich has grown up hearing. Since she can't speak, he has to decide for himself whether to trust what he has heard about her or what he sees.
I've loved the character development throughout this series, as well as how real-life magic is found in the midst of the fairy tales. Also, this book started to really develop the political drama between the kingdoms in an unexpected way. I look forward to seeing how it unfolds in the next books.
I received a free ARC from the author and have reviewed it willingly.
Each book in this series shows the hero standing up to the villain, but even more importantly, dealing with their internal struggles. Erich, who has always been confident in his own abilities, faces several new challenges, most importantly, judging people on their character and actions rather than rumors and stereotypes. Aizel is a Majis, but she is nothing like the tales Erich has grown up hearing. Since she can't speak, he has to decide for himself whether to trust what he has heard about her or what he sees.
I've loved the character development throughout this series, as well as how real-life magic is found in the midst of the fairy tales. Also, this book started to really develop the political drama between the kingdoms in an unexpected way. I look forward to seeing how it unfolds in the next books.
I received a free ARC from the author and have reviewed it willingly.
pi_maker's review
5.0
Oh my goodness, this third installment in the Fairy Tale Royals series by Emily Deady was so good! Definitely one of my favorite Little Mermaid retellings. I loved the character growth we saw from both MCs, how they each started out believing that the other basically represented evil and gradually grew to see them as persons. Erich's arc, from full of himself and unwilling to even consider alternate viewpoints to a point of being willing and able to choose self-sacrifice for the sake of doing what was right, was amazing. ❤️ And we got so much more insight into the building conflict across the continent! So, so excited to see vindication of some suspicions I'd had from earlier books, and then the answers we found gave rise to a whole new set of questions... Loved it, definitely recommend it, and will certainly be re-reading it to tide me over while waiting for the next one!
(I got to read an advance copy of Pearl of Magic, but I loved it enough that I bought a copy as soon as it released!)
(I got to read an advance copy of Pearl of Magic, but I loved it enough that I bought a copy as soon as it released!)