Dark Water by Tricia Raybrun

Publication Date: Came out in July 2012

Series: Siren (bk. 3)

Genera(s): Paranormal Romance

Subjects: sirens, supernatural, mythology, small towns, ocean, murder, mystery, summer

Setting: Winter Harbor, Maine

POV/Tense: 1^st person POV, past tense: Vanessa Sands

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 362 pgs.

HC/PB: Now in Paperback

List Price: $9.99

Publisher: Egmont

Summary/ product description: “When seventeen-year-old Vanessa reunites with her biological mother, she faces the dilemma of a siren's existence, that in order to survive she must endanger the lives of those she loves most.”

My Review:  After a few years of waiting, I finally finish this series by reading Undercurrent and Dark Water back-to-back. The first book, Siren, took place in Winter Harbor, the sequel, Undercurrent was mostly set in Boston, but they went back to Winter Harbor a few times. Dark Water, the finally, is almost exclusively in Winter Harbor and like the first book, it’s summertime.

The setting plays a major role in this book. There’s nothing as fun as a summertime story set in a seaside town. Of course, the people of Winter Harbor haven’t exactly been having fun this summer. Last summer’s freak events have kept tourists from coming to their town and the economy is down. Betty’s is practically empty and Paige is trying to come up with ideas to bring more people in. Vanessa works as a hostess there again.

Vanessa’s parents are selling their lake house and buying a house close to the ocean. Since her parent now know about Vanessa’s siren heritage, they’re doing whatever they can to help her, like letting her go for nighttime swim or adding salt into her food and drinks. Her mother acts a little overbearing and obsessively decorates their new summer home. Then murders start happening again. This time women instead of men are a dying. The town freaks outs. Vanessa’s parents are freaked to and not thrilled about staying in Winter Harbor anymore.

On top of that, Vanessa’s real mom, Charlotte, shows up. She looks aged and week. She’s there to see Vanessa and tell her some things, and then want to go to Canada to visit other sirens. Also, Vanessa is trying to repair her relationship with Simon, who’s the only guy her powers don’t affect. She loves him, but he’s hurt after last year. Vanessa also learns other way to gain power, by contact with other men and using her inner voice.

I have loved the character of this series. I love that Simon’s a bit of a science geek. Vanessa reminds me a lot of Nora from Hush, Hush. Paige is a funny best friend character. She reminds me a little of Arianne from Fallen. This series is sometimes dark and atmospheric. It feels like a horror or thriller mystery at times. It reminds me a lot of the Hush, Hush series. It’s also got Siren mythology, which is cool. I definitely recommend this series to fans of Becca Fitzapatrick, Kimberly Derting, and Lauren Kate. It’s set in Maine. It’s paranormal. It’s amazing. I wish Tricia Rayburn would write more paranormal books like this series.

Cover Art Review: I like the cover except the title being in black.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke

Series: Between (bk. 1)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: supernatural, gothic, horror, Maine, seaside towns

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 360 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Penguin: Dial

Summary/ product description: “You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town… until River West comes along. River rents the guest house behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard.

Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more?

Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery... who makes you want to kiss back.

Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch.”

My Review: This book was better than I thought it would be. It was more funny than scary. It had a kind of dark, gothic humor in the narration. Violet thinks of strange and morbid things, but it’s entertaining. And the insta-love wasn’t an issue because River was controlling her, making her feel like she was in love. So defiantly give this book a chance, and don’t put it down for its ridiculousness.

Violet is such an overused name in YA PNR. Violet White is a loner book nerd that doesn’t socialize much and like strange things. Her parents are painters and they went to Europe, and left Violet and Luke months ago to fend for themselves. Who knows when they’ll be back? Luke is Violet’s brother. He seems very mean and sexist, but he’s just you typical teasing brother. Violet is very unique in some ways. I would call her a strong female character, but she is dynamic. She reminds me of Pierce from the Abandon series by Meg Cabot. She’s not at all like Bella from Twilight.

River is not like Edward. He’s more like Damen from the Immortals series in appearance, but with a manipulative edge. He’s also kind of like Damon from the Vampire Diaries, and he can compel people, or create an illusion. He calls this the Glow. He’s also a compulsive liar, or maybe just a regular liar. He lies a lot to Violet. Violet still falls in love with him even when her instincts scream no.

Sunshine Black is Violet’s neighbor/friend. She likes to tease Violet, but also helps her out. She likes Luke, who already has a girlfriend.

I really enjoyed the setting and the atmosphere. There are so many YA book that I’ve read set in Maine (Need, Delirium, Hush Hush, Siren…). I’ve never been to Maine, but these books make me want to visit. This book is Maine in summertime, and is very descriptive of the town and their estate by the sea.

The story feels moody and magical, with creepy undertones. Like there’s a storm brewing. The writing is lyrical and beautiful. There are some things that feel juxtaposed, and maybe this book qualifies as magical realism. But it’s essential a paranormal romance about a girl who meets a guy with a dangerous gift. And there’s a lot of trust issues, and discoveries. I was hoping for something really big to happen, but I think I’m satisfied. But I seriously need to know what book 2 is gonna be about soon.

I recommend this book if you like stories set in seaside towns, in Maine, or gothic novels, or paranormal romance novels like the Fallen Series by Lauren Kate, or Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. There are no angels or demons in this book, just so you know.

Cover Art Review: I love the typography! Swirly, yet legible. The photo background is nice too. Good colors. 

Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama

Series: It may be a stand-alone

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Mermaids, supernatural, seaside towns, Massachusetts, history

Age/Grade Level: Upper Teens

Length: 295 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Macmillan: FSG

Summary/ product description: “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 Rating: êê

My Review: This book is part of the Fall 2012 Fierce Reads lineup. Sadly, it wasn’t as awesome or Fierce as I hoped for. I’m really not a fan of historical fiction, paranormal or not. But even the parts with Hester in the present weren’t compelling enough. 3^rd person can be boring, and it makes you care less for the characters. I think I liked the character Peter the best out of all of them, but most of the time I was confused and not sure what I was reading. Near the end it gets more interesting with the mermaid parts, but still I think this is probably the worst mermaid book I’ve ever read. Worse than Lost Voices by Sarah Porter, which had a very awesome sequel that redeemed the bad first book. There are plenty of great mermaid series out there completely outshine this book. If you like late 1800’s history set in a New England town, mixed with mermaid folklore, then you might like this. I prefer present day, 1^st person perspective, and hot guys. This book was particularly romantic. It was kind of dark. But even then, it wasn’t “evil mermaids.” This book is not really for fans of Of Poseidon or Siren or even Tempest Rising. If you’re looking for a fun, sexy mermaid tale, then I don’t recommend this. Read it if you like what this book is about. I really hate giving bad reviews, but it just wasn’t for me.  

Cover Art Review: The ARC cover/original cover looks so much better than this one. This is too minimalistic and kind of boring.

 

~Haley G

Touched by Cyn Balog

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Supernatural, psychic ability, magic, curses

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 307 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Summary/ product description: “Nick Cross always listens to the voice in his head. Because if he doesn't? Things can go really, really wrong. Like the day he decided to go off script and saved a girl from being run over . . . and let another one drown. Trying to change the future doesn't work.
But this summer at the Jersey Shore, something's about to happen that Nick never could have predicted. He meets a girl named Taryn and finds out about the Book of Touch. Now the path that he thought he was on begins to shift . . . and there's no way to stop things from happening. Or is there?
In a life where there are no surprises, nothing has prepared Nick for what he's about to discover--or the choice he will be forced to make. . .”

My Rating: êêêê

My Review: This is probably Cyn Balog’s best yet. The story seems deeper and darker and very well thought out. Her first 3 books were just short and light. This one leaves a deeper impression. The romance is more believable, even if Nick can see what’s coming. The depiction of Nick’s ability to see his own future is interesting and overwhelming. The possibilities are endless, the decisions are hard, and if he veers of scripts, the changes can be drastic and even deadly. It kind of reminds me of the movies Next (with Nicolas Cage) and The Butterfly Effect, and towards the end, Final Destination. And then the ending (last 20 pages or so) was happy and less exciting. I figured Nan would do that. I really did like the characters though. Taryn was funny and sassy, always saying “Duh.” Nick was very self-deprecating, and had low-self-esteem. He was relatable, but in an extreme situation. As far as stand-alones go, it wrapped up pretty nicely, but the climax was rushed, and the after-the-fact dragged on a bit too long. I really enjoyed this. And I also like the Seaside setting with the carnival. I think it might be the same area that Starstruck was set in. This makes it a great end-of summer-read

Note: This book was titled Living Backwards, but the author changed it to Touched before it was published.

Cover Art Review: Really nice and mysterious. That carnival looks really creepy. I love Cliff Nielson’s illustrations! He also did the Mortal Instruments covers. He’s awesome.

~Haley G

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Publisher: Macmillan: Feiwel & Friends

Series: Of Poseidon (bk. 1)

Genera: Paranormal Romance

Subjects: Mermaids, supernatural, magic, fish, New Jersey

Length: 324 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

Summary/ product description: “Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen — literally, ouch! — both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . .
Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.”

My Rating: êêêê1/2

My Review: Another great mermaid book! Yay! Loving the merfolk stories this summer…of course Galen does not appreciate being called a mermaid. They’re called Syrena. I love this very unique take on the mermaid folklore. The Poseidon and Triton were brother Syrena generals rather than a God and his son. That all Triton descendants have dark hair, olive skin and violet eyes, while the Poseidons have lighter coloring. I’m not really spoiling anything, just clarifying any info dumps about appearances (it’s better to know how the characters look ahead time).

I thought that Emma’s ability to talk to fish and sea creatures/swimming creatures was pretty funny at times. It doesn’t seem like a very useful ability (Aquaman…ehhem….). But apparently it comes in handy if your drowning, being attacked by a shark or in need of sea food….yeah, I’d say the holding your breath for a very long time seems much more useful. But how cool would it be to talk to dolphins and penguins, and have them understand you? I’d be able to take some amazing photos…

I really did like Galen. He sounded very hot, even though he had a lot to learn about how to act human. He wasn’t up with the lingo we use. It was pretty funny. And Rayna, the feisty, girly Syrena sis of Galen. Her and Emma hated each other so much at the beginning. The relationship really changed later on. And Toraf, Rayna’s mate, he seemed like a nice guy.

I recommend this book if you enjoy mermaid books, or even paranormal romance. This book has a great (forbidden) romance. Also good if you liked Josephine Angelini’s Starcrossed series.

Cover Art Review: The cover looks greener in person. It looks blue on the computer screen. I love the image of the girl floating upwards, and the title typeface. The typeface looks art-deco, but a more modern, girly kind. I really like the cover. Teal and pink always look amazing together, because they’re almost complementary (but really would be a triad if yellow was added. Very well done cover.

~Haley G