Palace of Spies

by Sarah Zettel
4/5 stars
Harcourt Children's Books, 2013
362 pages
YA Historical Mystery

Source: Received an ARC through Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.

Peggy Fitzroy is in a pickle. Having refused to marry the cad chosen by her uncle guardian, she is out on the street. Miraculously she has made the acquaintance of a mysterious Tinderflint who wants to install her in the court of King George I as a lady in waiting to the Princess of Wales. She is impersonating his former ward and becomes privy to all matter of secrets including some that may have led to her predecessor's murder...

Looking for some evidence that Americans don't know British history? How about the fact that I initially passed over this book because I don't like reading about the 17th century. If you do know your British history, you may have ascertained that I somehow confused George with Charles I and Charles II and come to the conclusion that I don't like Restoration-era stories, which is the case. I get very anxious waiting for their deaths to come. Luckily this is set a bit later though the throne is far from secure. While the Hanover line has begun in George I, there are still Jacobites who would prefer to crown James the Pretender, a Catholic to complicate matters. This forms the bulk of the political background. I think if I had a more solid grounding in this history, I might have grasped certain points faster but Zettel did an excellent job of filling me in and I don't think I missed anything by not been more familiar. I would be interested in reading a non-fiction account of the period though if you have any recommendations.

Before I delve more fully into this particular story, I wanted to share a bit more about Peggy's patroness, the Princess of Wales. I read a lot against princesses, how the Disney princesses don't encourage girls to aspire big for example or how princesses are antiquated and antifeminist, etc. Well, Princess Caroline is an example against those arguments. Though as a woman, she has limited official power, she cultivates a glittering court including mathematicians like Gottfried Leibniz as well as political ministers like Robert Walpole and is able to work her influence through softer means. I think she sounds like a fascinating figure and would greatly like to study her more.

But moving on to our fictional characters. This story centers on Peggy, the droll narrator and main character of this novel in 1716. She is orphaned, raised in her uncle's home by the charity of her aunt but kicked out after refusing to marry her lecherous fiance. Fortunately she falls in with Mr. Tinderflint, Mr Peele, and Mrs. Abbott, a trio who mold her to impersonate the now deceased Lady Francesca Wallingham and to play a role at court. Peggy has spirit for sure as evidenced by her musings on the gift that is a fire poker when men are around as well as courage for undertaking this ordeal. I loved seeing her trying to unravel the many agendas at court and especially when she got down to business in sussing out the exact character of Lady Fran.

Other important characters are Peggy's cousin Olivia who makes only a few brief appearances once the uncle shatters that relationship as well as two potential love interests though only one is really viable. Tinderflint is an especially interesting character-is he a quivering coward or does he have hidden depths? We only start to tap into him by the end of the book. Happily it sounds like there will be at least a sequel and I, for one, very much look forward to that!

ARC Review: The Song of the Quarkbeast

The Song of the Quarkbeast by Jasper Fforde
4/5 stars
Harcourt Children's Books, 2013
289 pages
YA Fantasy
Scheduled to release September 3

Source: Received an ARC through Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.

After enjoying book one The Last Dragonslayer, I was pleased to get an early peek at its sequel (not really early as it has already been released in the UK). I picked this up one weekend expecting more hilarious shenanigans from Jennifer Strange and her coterie of magicians and assorted associates. As I anticipated, this was quintessentially Ffordian. I think if you enjoyed the first book and Fforde's writing in general, then you'll want to check out this sequel.

This go-around makes mention of the resurgence of magic following the events of the first book and continues some of the same threads but mostly the story is new, giving us further insight into the world of the Ununited Kingdoms. The big threat is over the future of magic with the king and wizard Blix eager to monetize it for their own gain while Jennifer and her crew want it available for everyone. These divergent philosophies battle it out, culminating in a bridge rebuilding competition to decide the fate of magic.

But really the plot doesn't much matter. Instead you'll be enchanted by the charming writing with its asides and the way that everything will come together. Small details are carelessly tossed to the side but later events prove how we had all the clues we needed, if only we could piece them all together the way Fforde does!

Jennifer continues to be plucky as foundlings are and we get to spend some time with the mysteriously disappearing and reappearing Great Zambini as well as all the fun characters from last book. I think my favorites here were greedy King Snodd IV and the King's Useless Brother (this is his actual title from the book) who is easily distracted by just about everything.

Overall: Though you could probably read this as a standalone, I do recommend checking out the first book beforehand and just being prepared for a zany ride!

Other Opinions:
Adventures of a Bookonaut
Lauren's Loquacious Literature (how cool is that blogname? I'm a sucker for alliteration)
Yolando Sfetsos

Frogged

Frogged by Vivian Vande Velde
4/5 stars
Harcourt Children's Books, 2013
198 pages
Middle-Grade Fairy Tale

Source: Received a copy from Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.

I've read a few of VVV's stories and of course I'm a sucker for fairy tale-esque stories, which this one seemed to hint at based on its mention of a princess kissing a frog. The twist this time is that the girl turns into a frog after kissing the boy and she can only return to her human form if she gets someone else to kiss her. Being that she has scruples, she sets off to discover a way to not have to transform someone else into a frog.

I don't have too much to say about this book as it is not very long. The story is very cute with an incredibly readable style-I finished it in mere hours as part of my mini-readathon. The princess learns some valuable lessons during her time as a frog that better prepare her for her new role as a more mature princess.

I think this would be a better experience for younger readers as older readers will probably find the story very familiar especially if they love twisted fairy tales like I do. The stakes and events didn't get high enough and the action moved rather lethargically especially for a reader accustomed to the fast-paced moving narratives of YA. It would also be fun as a read aloud bedtime story for the family.

A Smidgen of Sky

A Smidgen of Sky by Dianna Dorisi Winget
4/5 stars
Harcourt Children's Books, 2012
196 pages
Middle-Grade Contemporary

Source: Received an ARC through Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.

This is another book where I was lured in by its beautiful bright cover-isn't it sunny? It is making me feel better about the weekend being over and returning to work. And the plane is very appropriate for the story.

What is the story? Well, Piper is resentful of her mother's new boyfriend and his daughter because although her father has been gone for years, surely he'll return and their family life can resume. So she acts out against the guy and the daughter, including developing a plan that will throw off the wedding while also searching for more about her father. But what happens when you get exactly what you think you want?

As I said, I was mostly drawn to this book because of its cover but I enjoyed the contents with a caveat though. Piper is ten years old and as an adult, it was a little hard watching some of the decisions she makes and already being able to foresee the negative outcomes that would result. She is a stubborn and spunky kid; I admire her gumption but she's young and she makes some big mistakes that are thankfully fixable.

I guess that is what I ultimately liked most about this book-the underlying optimism and the sense that everything would end happily. As it's written for a younger audience, I found it to be a quick easy read with sympathetic characters and good life lessons. Although it does not shy away from the unpleasant aspects of life, there is also love and humor to balance them out, making for a great lazy afternoon read.

ARC Review: Delusion

Delusion by Laura L Sullivan
3/5 stars
Harcourt Children's Books, 2013
341 pages
YA Historical Fantasy
Scheduled for release January 8

Source: Received an ARC through Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the idea of magicians and magic interwoven into a plot set during the beginning of WWII so that was what initially grabbed my interest, in addition to the mention of sisters, my story weakness. I also love the green on the cover as well as the font.  However I perused some reviews before starting the book and ran across one from The YA Kitten, linked to below, that gave me pause. Knowing what was coming (and knowing that I would not like it) made me disinclined to finish the book although I did manage to drag myself through to the end.

But let's go back to the beginning. Phil and Fee are daughters of magicians and set to make their big stage debut with a trick of their own design and implementation. As they perform though, Nazi bombs are dropped over London, killing and destroying. Their parents and older brother volunteer for special missions to aid Britain but the twins, at only seventeen, are sent off to the countryside to be kept safe. Phil is outraged and immediately sets about trying to prepare everyone their for a pending Nazi invasion though they seem strangely unaware of the situation while Fee is dreamy-eyed and hopeful of meeting a young man to be her partner in a Jane Austen story. Boy, are both girls in for a surprise when the stumble across a magician's college! Phil meets Arden, who tries to kill her on first meeting for her nosiness while Fee meets Thomas, the fulfillment of all her romantic hopes and dreams. As Phil tries to galvanize the school into action, they also face a threat from German magicians who take the racial superiority rhetoric of Hitler further and believe magic folk above all commoners who they would like to subjugate.

In some ways this book reminded me of Cold Comfort Farm with the stranger coming in and trying to reorganize the sleepy small town for the better (or so she thinks). I thought there were some great passages and lots of comedic moments as well as some good inner conflicts for the characters. However it did seem to drag on despite the fact that one would think war would be a great driving force for action. I was a little confused about how much time had passed at certain points. Phil and Arden have a hate to love relationship, complicated by many factors but knowing what was to come for them, I had a lot of trouble supporting the relationship.

But the biggest problem is also one that has bothered other people and is very much a SPOILER so now you are forewarned. Phil (and Fee) have immunity to the magic practiced by Arden and his lot. Although he offers restoring the magic to her, she considers and refuses. Toward the end, as we approach the climax though, Arden decides to force the magic into her, hoping it will keep her safely away from the conflict. Yes, he radically changes her life without her consent and despite her very clear "no." This force causes her to pass out and when she awakens, she accidentally causes mass destruction and death to her guilt. However she is not sufficiently angry with Arden although I, and others, are more than pissed on her behalf.

Overall: Despite an intriguing premise and some great scenes, this ending leaves me very displeased.

Other Opinions:
The YA Kitten: Ashleigh's review is the one that forewarned me what was coming.
Wandering Librarians: Arianna also commented on the problematic ending.

The Last Dragonslayer

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde
4/5 stars
Harcourt Children's Books, 2012
284 pages
YA Fantasy

Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

While I love Jasper Fforde's writing, I entered this book with a bit of a grudge. Not because I don't like his stories but because I've been waiting for the sequel to Shades of Grey for over 2 years and every book that is released in that time but is not the sequel has left me frustrated. Now it looks like that sequel is finally coming out in 2013 and you can expect an excited review upon release.

Back to this book, if you have enjoyed previous Fforde books, I bet you will like this one. It has that same quirky writing style and a lot of funny moments. I believe this one has been labelled YA because the main character Jennifer Strange is only fifteen (but soon to be sixteen) and it is perhaps less dense with literary allusions as say the Thursday Next series. Regardless, I think adults will still find plenty to enjoy as it is very typical of his writing while also being its own fun story.

In this world, magic used to be abundant and useful for many things but unfortunately magic seems to be running out, causing a problem for Jennifer Strange running Kazam, an asylum of sorts for wizards, which is in dire financial straits. But the prophecy of a dragon dying unleashes a crazy chain of events that is best read.

Jennifer is an appealing character: ethically sound, honor-driven, and brave to the point of crazy in my opinion. I really enjoyed hanging out with her during this book. Most of the other characters are lovably or frustratingly eccentric as Jennifer is the grounding force at the heart of the story. The way everything ties together is perfect and yet not what I predicted, thank goodness-it's a much better ending than I anticipated.

Overall: Great fun-it looks like a sequel has already been published in the UK so I hope it's brought over here too as I definitely want to read it. In short, if you like previous Fforde works, I think you'll like this one too. If you haven't read any previous Fforde works, this would serve as a fine introduction especially for those who enjoy dragon stories.

Cover: Since I read this based on previous experience with the author, I didn't look very closely at the cover. However I really appreciate seeing the dragon's scales and the car is present in the book.

Enchanted

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis
4/5 stars
Harcourt Children's Books, 2012
305 pages
YA Fairy-Tale Fantasy

Source: Received an ARC through Amazon Vine.

I was so excited to pick this book up! I have loved fairy tales ever since I was little and I vividly remember my mom reading to me from her book of Grimm's fairy tales. While most recent YA fairy tale retellings and twists have focused on stories with a princess, this one promised to deliver a lot more, incorporating references to pretty much every fairy tale you know.

The primary story draws from "The Frog Prince" when a lovely young girl meets a frog and her kiss transforms him back to his human shape. But there is so much more to the story as the girl Sunday shares her crazy family history and the frog prince Rumbold struggles to recover his memories and woo Sunday despite her family's grudge against his family.

Sunday is the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter and a seventh son, destining her for a life filled with magic. She meets and befriends the frog, called Grumble, early in the book and soon decides she is in love with him; this makes his sudden disappearance very hard for her. The hardship is compounded when she meets Prince Rumbold and finds herself developing feelings for him despite her lingering love for Grumble. Meanwhile Rumbold is trying to win her hand on his own while also struggling to remember his life pre-transformation and the basic human functions. But pretty much everyone else has their own little story too that corresponds to one or more fairy tale so it is not just the love story of Sunday and Rumbold.

I did find the story a little overstuffed. Every character has a pretty detailed backstory and it sometimes took away from Sunday and Rumbold's story. I also found the tone a little too lighthearted at times. I guess I found the whimsy overwhelming. Perhaps I should have tried to read the book slower so that I could savor all of the connections. On the other hand, I am sure I will discover even more to love in this book when I read it again as I will be able to focus more on picking up the various references. I'm a big reader of fairy tales and I am sure I only picked up on a small proportion of the allusions.

Overall: Full of magic, this is an enchanting book perfect for lovers of fairy tales and romance.

Cover: The model makes me think more of "Sleeping Beauty" but I love the top part, especially the swirly "E."

Flyaway

Flyaway by Helen Landalf
Harcourt Children's Books, 2011
168 pages
YA; Contemporary
3/5 stars

Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I think this ended up being a book where my age and personality severely clashed with the book. I tired of the immaturity, the extremely poor decisions, and the blinders the main character wore, which hindered my ability to enjoy it.

Main character Stevie lives with her flighty mother, who is also under the sway of an abusive boyfriend and drugs, and is practically failing out of school. She is totally out to sea without adult supervision or any purpose in life. However her Aunt Mindy intervenes, taking guardianship of Stevie and getting her mother sent to rehab despite the protestations of both. And Stevie starts to learn what life is like when she has an appropriate parental unit and what it is like to have someone support her.

There were some good things: the main character's name is Stephanie even if she prefers to go by Stevie as in Stevie Nicks. This is obviously not a decision I support but it really is the least of her problems.  The positive adult main characters (Aunt Mindy and tutor Rick) were wonderful; I certainly wouldn't mind a story featuring them more. The writing is fine and the story flies by (it is very short).

I really struggled to connect with Stevie when she rebelled against her Aunt Mindy. I understand that her mother didn't like Mindy and that would color Stevie's perception. But Aunt Mindy is stable and possesses the ability to follow-through. No matter how much Stevie pushes her away, she keeps trying to get through to her.  I just thought Stevie was so immature even though she tries to act so mature and she seriously makes a lot of bad decisions (some examples: stealing her aunt's car despite possessing no driver's license or formal training; making out with a jerk; encouraging her mom to leave rehab early).

There's also a lot of talk about drugs, seriously in the case of Stevie's mom but rather casually in the case of Stevie and her contemporaries. While drugs are not presented in a positive light, I didn't think they were denounced enough. I guess the author didn't want to be preachy but I feel like some stronger anti-drug sentiments could have been written. There are also some odd plot twists around a love interest for Stevie. There are two possibilities and the situations change rapidly with little sense.

In the end, this was a fast to read story but there was so much stuffed in that nothing received the treatment it deserved and I was left unfulfilled.

Wherever You Go

Wherever You Go by Heather Davis
Harcourt Children's Books, 2011
309 pages
YA; Contemporary; Ghosts
3/5 stars

Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is narrated in a most unusual way: it alternates between first-person for main character Holly, third-person for friend Jason, and second-person for Holly's ghost boyfriend Rob. I was a little thrown to pick the book up and be addressed by the character but I quickly grew used to it and the device really helped me distinguish whose perspective we were following.

Holly lives with her single mother and her younger sister, taking on most of the responsibility of caring for the latter, and additionally shouldering the burden of caring for her Alzheimer's-stricken grandfather. Plus she's a social pariah, as most of her school blames her for the death of her popular, rich boyfriend Rob.

Jason is Rob's best friend who has had an interest in Holly and begins to reach out to her over the course of the novel and falling in love. Meanwhile Rob is a ghost and confused as to why. When he discovers that Holly's grandfather can see him, he tries to reach out to Holly through him. But since no one else can see Rob, they assume that the grandfather's mind is just deteriorating.

There were some absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking sections of this book. I so admired Holly for her strength in dealing with her boyfriend's death as well as the burdens of taking care of family and home. I've had a pretty privileged life and I was so humbled by Holly's selflessness and commitment to her family even at the expense of having a "normal" teenage life.

However I was put off by the ending where Holly's selfishness comes out as does the mother's. I guess it added some conflict in a book that is not heavy on conflict (I feel like it is more character-driven) but I ended up really disliking both characters because of that. Jason is a nice guy but I didn't feel like there was that much to him. He's pretty swoon-worthy as he devotes himself to winning over Holly by helping her care for her family and he puts her interests first; otherwise I didn't detect much of a personality. I would say that the grandfather was probably my favorite character; in dealing with the difficult situation of seeing a ghost and having everyone believe he was crazy, he won over my heart.

Overall: A beautifully written character-driven novel that just didn't quite work for me.

Pregnant Pause

Pregnant Pause by Han Nolan
Harcourt Children's Books, 2011
340 pages
YA; Contemporary
3.5/5 stars

Source: Received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book dives right into the drama with main character Eleanor Crowe admitting her pregnancy and marrying the father, her long-time boyfriend Lam. Her parents then live for Africa to help children of AIDS, her older sister lives in California and is attempting to convince Eleanor to give her the baby, and Eleanor is left practically alone to serve as a counselor at a fat camp run by her new in-laws. As time passes, the pressure mounts and Elly must make some difficult choices.

This is a bit of a change in YA for me. Elly is somewhat of an abrasive character. She smoked, drank, and got high while messing around with her older boyfriend and she fully anticipated having a miscarriage, which would make the decision for her.  She's always felt like a disappointment to her parents and she's quick to judge and get defensive. Elly is so self-destructive and emotionally immature, definitely not ready to be a mother. But as the book continues, her snarky attitude made me laugh and she was able to gain some of my sympathy. She's in a tough situation but she's a fighter.

Additionally she begins to discover a maternal side as she interacts with the kids at the camp.  Elly had zero experience going in but begins to find her way, feeling sorry for kids under pressure from their parents to lose weight and for the bullied among them. I also appreciated the big cast. Sometimes so many characters can be confusing but Nolan did a great job of fleshing them out and keeping them distinguishable for me.  Furthermore, none of the characters were perfect; they were SO imperfect with many different facets and they seemed like real people.

Of course that meant, that there were a lot of stuff I didn't like. People frequently made the wrong choices especially Elly and Lam and their relationship.  I just wanted to save them from their stupid mistakes but I could only keep reading.  The other part I didn't like was the ultimate ending, which seemed just a bit too pat; no spoilers here though-read it for yourself!

Dark of the Moon

Dark of the Moon by Tracy Barrett
Harcourt Children's Books, 2011
309 pages
YA; Greek
4/5 stars

Source: Received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't know much about this book before starting other than that it was sort of a retelling of the Greek myth about Theseus and the Minotaur's Labyrinth.  Thus I struggled in the beginning when I read this boring girl's whiny monologue about her difficulties as She-Who-Will-Be-Goddess and her fears about the time when she takes her mother's place as She-Who-Is-Goddess. Who was this girl? (Ariadne) Why did I have to learn about her confusing religion? Did the religious figures govern the country with no king? Where was Theseus?

Soon though he appeared and I relaxed a bit. Was he whiny too? Yes a bit, but he was familiar and his narration really helped me get into the narrative. Once it switched back to the first narrator Ariadne, I was engrossed in the world of the story and I was able to sympathize more with her as the story switched back and forth between the two perspectives to shine new light on the myth of Theseus.

And while I was more settled, I wasn't entirely comfortable. Remember this is the world of Greek myth, a bloody, bloody place with regular human sacrifice. And those ugly aspects are discussed. Although routine for Ariadne and her people, they are new to Theseus. The hardest part for me to read about was a bullfighting sequence, which I think is an absolutely disgusting activity. My mom told me about a time on a school-trip to Mexico where they attended a bullfight and it just sounded horrifying, so caution to sensitive stomachs.

One big theme I noted was the treatment of religion. Although the Goddess has been revered for generations, there are suspicions about Ariadne's suitability to follow her mother as well as rumblings about putting a male king in the high priestess' place. So there's also gender politics and examination of the prominence of religion and how it can fall.

And of course there's family! Ariadne's family and their entanglement with the Goddess are intrinsic to understanding their religion and system of governance.  I did find it all a little confusing (and more than a little appalling with the whole system of human sacrifice) but I think I understood enough especially as Theseus understood more.

Overall: Good twist; I'm definitely pleased with the spate of YA books dealing with Greek myths although I highly recommend that you read the original myth first. I think it's preferable to see what the author was dealing with and it helps you to pick out what was consciously changed and to ponder why.

Populazzi

Populazzi by Elise Allen
Harcourt Children's Books, 2011
390 pages
YA; Contemporary
4/5 stars

Source: Received a free e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'll admit that I didn't have the highest hopes for this book given that I had zero interest in being popular in high school (do popular kids get to sit and read at lunch? No; they have to socialize. Do popular kids get to stay at home and laugh hysterically with their family and read on the weekends? No; they have to go shopping at the mall and go to crazy parties. I mean, I had friends (who also loved to read) so I wasn't lonely but I was by no means popular).  According to the vocabulary of this book, I think I would be a "Happy Hopeless," so far below the social ladder and without any aspirations to climb it ever...but I'd be happy as our introduction to that group comes from Robert Schwarner, a Star Wars nerd who I adored. But he only makes brief appearances because our main character is Cara Leonard.

Cara has just transferred to a new school in time for junior year with the intention of climbing the social ladder (as outlined and described by her best friend Claudia) because no one has any preconceptions about her.  She will start dating a boy with a lower status and eventually work her way up through relationships.  That first boy is Archer and the plan almost goes off the rails as Cara falls hard for him. After an embarrassing encounter though, she is back on track and quickly rises before her inevitable fall.

I really liked Cara's friendship with Claudia which is heavily spotlighted in the beginning but falters as Cara draws away in favor of hanging out with the Populazzi. There friendship had real depth and differed from some of the other popularity books I've read because Claudia was involved in Cara's rise to the top.  The other characters were pretty funny including one ex-boyfriend who writes a HILARIOUS song about Cara and the popular girls who did not seem as vapid as in other books.

Besides the popularity plot, there were a lot of issues dealt with in this book: in no particular order, with some receiving more attention, bulimia, sexual pressure, drugs, drinking, irresponsibility, homophobia, and most startlingly for me was Cara's family situation.

Cara lives with her mother and stepfather Karl with her father and his new wife the Bar Wench living about twenty minutes away but estranged.  Karl has very high expectations for Cara; perfect grades leading to acceptance to Northwestern, his alma mater. But he also has a very loose grasp on his temper as demonstrated in several instances. I would classify his behavior as bordering on abusive. He *disowns* Cara and gives her the silent treatment after she messes  up. He says that he washes his hands clean of her and says that it is now all up to her mother. In turn, the mother is afraid to leave because she doesn't work and is afraid she'll never be able to find someone else. The way to get back into Karl's good graces is to do everything he says and cater to his every need when he's home.  I'm not sure I know enough but I was very uneasy about the home situation and I thought it needed more treatment.

Overall: A very well-written amusing take on the themes of popularity and cliques in high school.


Cover: Cara does have wild, curly hair and the yellow fits with her generally sunny disposition; however the cover doesn't really grab me.

Read for YA Debut and ebook challenges.

Lost Voices

Lost Voices by Sarah Porter
Harcourt Children's Books, 2011
291 pages
YA; Mermaids
4/5 stars

Source: Received a free ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Minor spoilers!

I had no idea what to expect when starting this book as I had seen very few reviews of it. I was thinking maybe something like The Little Mermaid. I ended up shocked by quite a number of things while reading.

First I was disoriented because it seemed like the book was set in Missouri, which is an odd setting for a mermaid story, but then it is situated in Alaska, which makes much more sense.  Second this is a very dark book as girls turn into mermaids due to abusive backgrounds.  Neglect, beatings, and rape are some of the circumstances that turn them.  Third once they are turned, they reveal in their new powers including a powerful tail and seductive voices that they use to sing ships to their deaths.  Fourth the group dynamics.  Only girls change because boys die, and like any group there can be trouble with new people; in this case, a lot of trouble.  Fifth, the ending, which I will not spoil here, is much more vague than I'm used to in YA.  It didn't seem like a cliffhanger; instead it was very ambiguous affording the reader the opportunity to hypothesize various endings.  As this is apparently the start of a trilogy, I'm wondering if it will continue with these characters or talk more about mermaids in another place.

Now some of those shocking elements were positive and some were negative.  Main character Luce is almost raped by her drunk uncle before she transforms and other abuses are described in detail.  While the first half is pretty steady on the group dynamics, it is the arrival of some new mermaids who shake up the group with extensive conniving and manipulation; it's really cruel stuff although fascinating.  I also felt that it took a little long to get to that point.  A negative would be how the girls revel in luring humans to their deaths, which I thought could have been dealt with more.  Luce is uncomfortable but all of the other girls are delighted to punish the humans who either hurt or ignored their pain during their human lives.

But for me, the biggest positive was the beautiful writing with breath-taking descriptions that brought me deep into the story.  I don't usually pay much attention to writing so long as it's competent but this blew past my expectations to weave a gorgeous magical world.

Overall: Beautiful writing if somewhat meandering; a conclusive ending would have pleased me more.

Read for YA Debut Author and Ebook Challenges.