Review: Tempest Revealed by Tracy Deebs

Tempest Revealed by Tracy Deebs

Publisher-Walkers Childrens

Release- June 4th 2013

Purchase- B & N/ Chapters

Half-mermaid Tempest Maguire is trying to have it all: fulfilling her duties as second-in-line to the merQueen Hailana while periodically returning home to the California coastline to be with her family and longtime boyfriend, Mark. Living under the sea and rebuilding Coral Straits is grueling work, while being back home reminds her of everyone she loves and misses. But when her old flame Kona arrives bearing news that Hailana has died and Tempest is now officially merQueen, she returns permanently to Coral Straits--even though it devastates her family and rips her apart from Mark. Once there, she discovers that an old enemy has resurfaced, hell-bent on taking over her throne...with or without her. As Tempest prepares for her final showdown against Tiamat and anyone who stands with her, she must decide what--and who--is really important to her. Because there will be few survivors in the ultimate sea battle that is brewing--and Tempest isn't sure she will be one of them.

My Thoughts:

Tempest Revealed is the last book in the Tempest series by Tracy Deebs. I've never had much luck when it came to mermaid books, but I love how Deebs tackles underwater action and heartfelt romance. In this last installment, Tempest is torn between two worlds. Sea vs Land. Responsibly vs Heart. She must make the ultimate choice to become the merQueen and defeat Tiamat and her evil minions or be human with her family and Mark. Since the two worlds seem to collide, it's not like she can have both...or can she?

So much fun! Tempest Revealed is a whirlwind of heart-pounding action and excitement and it all starts when Kona came to find Tempest and tell her the news that Hanilla has died, making Tempest the rightful merQueen of Coral Straits. Together they must fight Tiamat's plan for immortality (by drinking the blood of mermaids to keep her young and beautiful) with Tempest as her golden prize. But when they finally get down to the ocean, Tempest was taken by the twisted Sabyn. An enraged Tempest fights her abductor and escapes with help, but the horrific experience only fuels her determination. The ultimate battle has begun between the ocean leaders to finally destroy Tiamat, the evil Sea Witch once and for all, but not without a few surprises along the way. I absolutely loved where Deebs took this story, so many twist and turns I never saw coming. I've always adored the way she can pen life under the sea. Mesmerized by the rich bold colors and beauty of it all. I also love the fact that this women can write fightin'! Pulse pounding, kick-ass merpeople and human come together in an underwater smack-down to the death! Yeah baby!

In a way, I'm actually kinda glad that this is the last book in the series but that's only cause my heart can't take anymore heart-fail and the back and forth decisions that Tempest had to make was almost my undoing. I get the why's, really I do. Torn, confused and under an incredible amount of pressure and responsibility, Tempest is allowed to make human teenage mistakes, but it was still hard and frustrating to read at times. 

Still, I loved this character. I love her strength and determination. During some of the most tortuous situations she was put under, she never gave up or gave in. She fought for her people and her Sea.

I've always had the biggest crush on Mark since the first book. He's proven so many times how much he loves Tempest. I love their moments in this one. He's the kind of guy that is just so supportive, loyal, protective and will do anything for you. He's had to take a lot a crap from Tempest and yet through it all he's still there, loving her. 

As for Kona, I was a big fan in the first book, but lately his attitude has been very cold and bitter and quite frankly immature. But he earned a spot in my heart after it was all said and done. Since this is the last book, I don't want to spoil who Tempest finally picks in the end, but I will say that I'm happy with her choice.

Bottom line, I had so much fun reading the last installment in the Tempest series. The adventurous story-line and breathtaking romance will put readers in the mood for basking on that perfect lazy summer days while escaping to the rumble of the ocean along with Tempest, Mark, Mahina and Kona.

Loved that ending and this still holds the record for best mermaid series in my book so far. It will truly be missed! 

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                                                                    4.5 Snowflakes

Review: Of Triton by Anna Banks

Of Triton by Anna Banks
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release date: May 28, 2013
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

In this sequel to OF POSEIDON, Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she’s a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm below. Syrena law states that all Half- Breeds should be put to death.

As if that’s not bad enough, her mother’s reappearance among the Syrena turns the two kingdoms—Poseidon and Triton—against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen’s request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself—and her Gift—to save a people she’s never known?

My thoughts:
Of Triton was an awesome addition to this series.  It was fun and totally kept the wonderful pacing that its predecessor Of Poseidon delivered.

This sequel takes place right where Of Poseidon left off.  Nalia, Emmas mom, is on the run thinking that Galen is trying to arrest her for killing his brother Grom.  When Grom and Nalia come face to face for the first time in many many years their love is instantly rekindled.  This isn't all fun and games though, Grom is already mated and with Emma being a Half Breed everyone knows their journey back to the waters won't be an easy one especially with a rebellion going on.

This book was like I said all kinds of fun. Is it amazing beyond belief no, but it was just what I was looking for and sometimes we as readers just need some good ole fashioned fluff. Of Triton wasn't all fluff, but it wasn't filled with drama drama drama.  There were so many moments between Emma and the cast of characters that were just perfect.  I enjoyed the underwater scenes and I really enjoyed seeing the tribunal happen since it gave us a look into the Syrena history.  I am honestly very intrigued by this world that has been created.

So while this wasn't something that will forever be known as the greatest work of fiction, it definitely left a mark on me and I will definitely pick up the next installment.  I have absolutely no idea what the third book could be about since this one ends in a good place and honestly that is half the fun.  Anna Banks has created a fun world that I can't wait to read more about!

3.5 snowflakes

Review: Deep Betrayal by Anne Greenwood Brown

Deep Betrayal by Anne Greenwood Brown
Publisher: Random House/ Delacorte
Release Date: March 12, 2013
Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

It's been thirty days, two hours, and seventeen minutes since Calder left Lily standing on the shores of Lake Superior. Not that she's counting. And when Calder does return, it's not quite the reunion Lily hoped for. Especially after she lets her father in on a huge secret: he, like Calder, is a merman. Obsessed with his new identity, Lily's dad monopolizes Calder's time as the two of them spend every day in the water, leaving Lily behind.

Then dead bodies start washing ashore. Calder blames his mermaid sisters, but Lily fears her father has embraced the merman's natural need to kill. As the body count grows, everyone is pointing fingers. Lily doesn't know what to believe—only that whoever's responsible is sure to strike again. . . . 

My thoughts:
I loved loved loved Lies Beneath.  It was my first mermaid book and I was captivated by the whole killer mermaid storyline.  Deep Betrayal started out strong, but by the end I was really kinda disappointed in the turn the story took and I am not sure if I totally buy it all.

The story takes off about 30 days after Lies Beneath ended.  Calder is off trying to figure things out and Lily is left in Minneapolis having been barred from the lake.  When Calder finally shows back up and Lily decides to tell her Dad that he is a merman, Lily gets her wish and she returns to the lake.  Knowing that Calders sisters still pose a threat, Lily agrees to stay out of the water.  When the pull of the water is just too much for her all hale breaks loose and things get exciting.  Angry mermaids, bodies washing up on shore, and an absent dad all come crashing down on Lily and all she knows is that she has to stop the killings and bring her family back together again.

See the story sounds good and for the most part I was enthralled with it, but in the last few chapters things really fell apart for me.  I didn't like who the killer turned out to be at all.  That whole thing came out of nowhere and I kinda wish that the person we are led to believe would have been the killer.  It would have made a better OMG storyline in my opinion.  Instead we are left with a weird killer and a new bit of history that again didn't really belong in the story.  It felt like the author wanted to sidetrack the reader with a history lesson and the whole time all I could think about was Ursula from The Little Mermaid.  I didn't think the story really needed it since the murders were strong enough to hold the readers attention.

I was also more than ticked at Lily for driving off without Calder when she really could have used his help. Calder let her tag along to every dangerous stunt he had to endure but the minute the tables are turned Lily leaves him!  I was infuriated over her decision and it didn't make any sense why she would leave him.  Calder wasn't weak and certainly could have held his own so it was just irritating.

Even though I wasn't fond of the ending I did enjoy several parts of the story and with the way this one ended and I am more than a little curious how the next book will be.  The author leaves us with a bomb so I will definitely pick up the next book hoping that my killer mermaids come back in full force.

3 snowflakes

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Review: Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama

Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (BYR)
Release date: September 4, 2012
Pre order: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Fierce, seductive mermaid Syrenka falls in love with Ezra, a young naturalist. When she abandons her life underwater for a chance at happiness on land, she is unaware that this decision comes with horrific and deadly consequences.

Almost one hundred forty years later, seventeen-year-old Hester meets a mysterious stranger named Ezra and feels overwhelmingly, inexplicably drawn to him. For generations, love has resulted in death for the women in her family. Is it an undiagnosed genetic defect . . . or a curse? With Ezra’s help, Hester investigates her family’s strange, sad history. The answers she seeks are waiting in the graveyard, the crypt, and at the bottom of the ocean—but powerful forces will do anything to keep her from uncovering her connection to Syrenka and to the tragedy of so long ago.

My thoughts: 

Holey moley!!  I had no clue that this book would A. be as creepy as it was and B. deal more with ghosts and history than actually mermaids.  Yes the mermaids play a big part but the ghosts play an even bigger part in my opinion and it was pure brilliance on the authors part!  This book was creepy, captivating and oh yeah not for the faint of heart.  *hehe*

This book has two stories in it.  One that dates back to 1872 and the other in 2011.  Told in alternating chapters we get to see two very different stories take place.   In 1872 we have Ezra who is intrigued with mythical legends of sea folk.  When he happens to stumble upon the very legend that he seeks he instantly falls in love and he knows that his life will never be the same again.  In 2011 we have Hester and she is not what I expected.  At first she seemed like your typical seventeen year old, she goes to school, has friends, and works in the summers.  Well what is interesting about Hester is that she works at a Pilgrim plantation, this is a place where everyday she gets to act like she is a pilgrim for the tourists.  I found all this very interesting and it gave Hester a whole different vibe than other girls that are in books today.  So cool!  Hester is also big into history and she lives in the same small town that her ancestors did.  This gives her a starting point when she starts to look into the "curse" that has befallen most of the women in her family.  You see after her mother gave birth she died shortly after, this happened to not only her but also her grandmother and her great-great-great grandmother.  Knowing that this could happen to her, Hester vows to never get close to anybody so that maybe she can break this "curse".  What she doesn't know is that this supposed curse goes way back in history and involves a soul, a baby, a mermaid, hatred, and love.

Sounds pretty cool right??!!   I know my little synopsis does not do the story justice by any means, but will give you a little glimpse into what this story is all about. There are so many characters and twists and turns throughout this book that I can guarantee you won't want to put it down.  I did mention that this isn't for the faint of heart right??  There are several parts of this book that gave me the shivers and they were a bit on the gory side, but man on man were they awesome!!  I loved every minute of it and I am so glad the author chose to include those little icky parts.  It was so amazing watching this story unfold piece by piece and to see Hester figure everything out. I really appreciated the paths these characters took.  There was no love triangle and no teenage angst, for the most part.  The romance was believable and I loved the way the author used souls.  It made everything come together perfectly.

Great characters, awesome plot with so many secrets that it took me up until the very last page to understand, and just an overall brilliant book about mermaids. What more could you ask for??!!

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4 Snowflakes

                         
   

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Blog tour reivew: Tempest Unleashed by Tracey Deebs

Tempest Unleashed by Tracey Deebs

Publisher: Walker Childrens

Release Date: June 5, 2012 
To Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Blurb(GR)  Tempest Maguire is happy with her decision to embrace her mermaid nature and live among her mother’s clan within the ocean’s depths. Even though training to one day ascend the throne for the aging mermaid queen is rigorous, she finds refuge in the arms of Kona, the selkie who first opened her up to her mermaid side. But when word comes that one of her brothers has been gravely injured on land, Tempest immediately rushes to his side—which also brings her back to her old flame, Mark. And in her absence, a deadly battle begins raging at the hands of Tempest’s old nemesis, the sea witch Tiamat. As the dangerous war erupts, Tempest’s two loves—Kona and Mark, sea and land—will collide for the first time, both to protect her and to force her to choose.

Excuse me a minute *pumps fist in the air and does a happy dance*  Okay sorry I had to gt that out of my system.  Let me tell you that I have been very skeptical about mermaid books, but I have loved each and everyone that I have read and this is definitely no exception.  This book has it all!  Adventure, action, suspense, love, passion EVERYTHING!  It was a roller coaster ride that I never wanted to end.

This book takes off where the first one left off, with Tempest embracing her mermaid side and swimming off into the sea with Kona.  Certain tragic events happen and she finds herself back to the one place she never thought she would see again, her home on land.  She goes to protect her family and in the process realizes that nothing is ever easy and she may lose everything that she never knew she wanted.    Deebs has written an awesome plot and I honestly never knew what was going to happen next.   I was blown away at her character development as well.  I saw a lot of strength in Tempest that most heroines don't have and that was just amazing.

The ending was just *sigh* so swoon worthy.  I am so excited that Tempest picked a certain someone because he stole my heart in the first one.  I am not saying who she picked you will have to read it to find out *hehe*  I am usually not okay with love triangles anymore but for some reason I am okay with this one.  The only reason I have to justify this is that Deebs has mad skills.  I really can't wait for the next one in this series!  If these past two in the series show anything it is that Tracey Deebs is a phenomenal writer and that the next book in this series should be nothing short of amazing!  What are you waiting for go get a copy!!
Copy provided by Bloomsbury! Thank you so much!

                                                                    4 Snowflakes
                                                      

Other books in this series:
Tempest Rising

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Review: Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

 

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Publisher: Delacourte Books for Young Readers 

Release date: June 12, 2012

To purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Blurb(GR):
Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistible good looks and charm on unsuspecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him

I have to say that I am really starting to like the dark and scary creatures that are crawling out from under all the romanticized ones. I mean killer mermaids?? What more could a girl ask for??!
Calder is a merman and to survive he has to steal emotions from humans, yes, this means he kills them. *shivers* From the beginning when I read this I was completely hooked. Like I said I am into the scary right now. So anyway, back to the plot.. Calder and his three sisters want revenge on the man that caused the death of their mother. They have been looking for him and hoping that he returns to the water so that they may avenge her. When this happens, Calder isn't prepared for his targets daughter and this throws a huge wrench in his plans.
Yes, there is a romantic plot thrown in, but I don't think it took away from the overall creepiness. It showed another side to Calder. I think if it had been ignored, it would have made him seem too cold. Calder and Lily were amazing and I loved how Lily didn't give into Calders charm right away. She stood her ground and that is hard to find in books these days. I also want to point out that Calders three sisters were just awesome. I know I am supposed to hate them and all, but you gotta love the twistedness of them. They were creepy and dark and I am very curious what will happen to them in the next book.
I think the author did a fantastic job interweaving old myth into the story. It was easy to understand and I felt myself believing every word she wrote. She really did an amazing job and I cannot wait to read the sequel!

                                                         4 Snowflakes
                                           

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