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marziesreads's review against another edition
3.0
I received a copy of this book from Net Galley I exchange for a fair review.
3.5 stars
This is a chapter reader book for children ages 9-12, and though third in a series, easy for a child to step into, thanks to the author's helpful cast of characters list and a good summary chapter in the beginning of the book. The actual action of the story was a little slow to develop but the familial relationships, particularly between Willa and her grandmother Belle, and the friendships developed in the book flow fairly naturally. Children who like light fantasy will likely enjoy the book.
Some aspects of the story are not clearly resolved. For instance Willa's missing several weeks of school in April isn't a problem even considered! The world building and character development could have used a bit more depth. Oberon and Mab provide a lot of comic relief but I wanted a better understanding of Belle and Maris. Since the story isn't told from Willa's perspective, we could get more depth. Why isn't Maris more worried about Belle's influence on Willa from the start? Also, Grandpa George and Marvin (Willa's father) are little more than prop characters. They might have been sketched out better in earlier books but here they are little more than filler. They married mermaids, for gosh sakes! They seem totally unconcerned about Willa running off and doing mermaid-y things and skipping school? The special denizens of Eldritch Manor are interesting, though oddly seem much less powerful than a 13 year old part mermaid. I enjoyed Willa's interaction Gwyneth and Loom. Perhaps that friendship can be developed further in later books. But it's clear the next adventure may involve the Beltane-celebrating Nortons.
3.5 stars
This is a chapter reader book for children ages 9-12, and though third in a series, easy for a child to step into, thanks to the author's helpful cast of characters list and a good summary chapter in the beginning of the book. The actual action of the story was a little slow to develop but the familial relationships, particularly between Willa and her grandmother Belle, and the friendships developed in the book flow fairly naturally. Children who like light fantasy will likely enjoy the book.
Some aspects of the story are not clearly resolved. For instance Willa's missing several weeks of school in April isn't a problem even considered! The world building and character development could have used a bit more depth. Oberon and Mab provide a lot of comic relief but I wanted a better understanding of Belle and Maris. Since the story isn't told from Willa's perspective, we could get more depth. Why isn't Maris more worried about Belle's influence on Willa from the start? Also, Grandpa George and Marvin (Willa's father) are little more than prop characters. They might have been sketched out better in earlier books but here they are little more than filler. They married mermaids, for gosh sakes! They seem totally unconcerned about Willa running off and doing mermaid-y things and skipping school? The special denizens of Eldritch Manor are interesting, though oddly seem much less powerful than a 13 year old part mermaid. I enjoyed Willa's interaction Gwyneth and Loom. Perhaps that friendship can be developed further in later books. But it's clear the next adventure may involve the Beltane-celebrating Nortons.
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