Animal Planet: Mermaids The Body Found Review

Length: About One Hour
Channel: Animal Planet

Summary: This documentary details the events three scientists witnessed and they believe they found evidence, both physical and vocal, of mermaids. Throughout this documentary, the scientists explain the theory of how mermaids came to be, using CGI graphics (shown on the side) and reanactments.

My Review:
When I first heard this documentary was being released, I really thought, "Yes, I love mermaids more than anyone else, but how is this going to play out?" Well, I was quite shocked.  This wasn't a bunch of fantasy and magic like most mermaids are conceived of today. The film features possible theories and some facts that are used to back up certain explanations such as the aquatic ape theory. Another piece of evidence that was used was the "bloop" noise. There is a link posted below if you would like to listen, but the one featured in the film is fictional. Not only did this make me think about the possibilities because of the evidence, but it was also awe inspiring. The computer graphics in this were quite beautiful and really made me think that this is what mermaids must look like! Throughout this whole documentary, the viewer really questions, are we the only humanoid creatures out there? Would we be able to co-exist with creatures like merfolk? What really made me tear was towards the end of the film. Although we are not sure that a society exists like this beneath our waves, it was extraordinary to see how these merfolk exist and how they transformed. I hope they put this on DVD, because I absolutely loved it  and hope to add it to my mermaid collection. I  I really recommend that if you are interested in marine biology, strange underwater phenomena, mermaids or animals, you really want to check this out. I give this documentary (*****) 5 stars.
PS: If you would like to hear an example of a "bloop" here is a link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBN56wL35IQ

For more on this breath taking special, visit this website:
http://press.discovery.com/ekits/monster-week-mermaids/press-release.html

Also, If you would like to keep any of the pictures featured in this documentary, I have posted some links below this post.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Selkie Girl By Laurie Brooks

This is the original cover.

Book type: novel
Author: Laurie Brooks
Pages: 262

Summary(goodreads.com):
Elin Jean has always known she was different from the others on their remote island home. She is a gentle soul, and can’t stand the annual tradition of killing seal babies to thin the population. Even Tam McCodron, the gypsy boy to whom she is strangely drawn, seems to belong more than she does.
It’s just a matter of time until Elin Jean discovers the secret of her past: her mother, Margaret, is a selkie, held captive by her smitten father, who has kept Margaret’s precious seal pelt hostage for 16 years. Soon Elin Jean faces a choice about whether to free her mother from her island prison. And, as the child of this unusual union, she must make another decision. Part land, part sea, she must explore both worlds and dig deep inside herself to figure out where she belongs, and where her future lies.

                                                                        My Review:

This is the new cover, which clearly
fits the story better

I have been reading this book for about two weeks, and I have to say when I first looked at the cover, I said to myself, "How does this have anything to do with selkies?" As I have mentioned in a previous post, selkies are a type of water creature or mermaid, that are seals when they enter the ocean, but they are human and can shed their seal skin while on land. If you look at the cover, you can clearly see this looks nothing like a selkie, and looks more like a mermaid story. Thankfully, they did chose to make a different cover. However, when I first started reading this, I couldn't put it down. Brooks really used a rich and descriptive way to describe scenes and characters and I was able to become sucked into the tides and currents of the words on the pages. I really recommend this for someone who is in a difficult time of transition. The main character, Elin Jean, transforms from a stubborn girl into a mature young woman, and I loved reading about her transition into adulthood. This is also a great book for someone who loves to read about selkies, and from experience, I know there are not many books written on this mysterious creature. I must say though, the ending was bittersweet, having elements that were quite violent and sad, but also beautiful and happy. I give this book (****) 4 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie

Animal Planet : Mermaids, The Body Found

Hey guys!
So I know I normally post mermaid BOOK stuff, but today, I wanted to share with you that the popular channel Animal Planet, will be having a mockumentary on mermaids. What is a mockumentary? This simply means it is filmed to look like a real documentary, but it is fake. However, the special broadcast looks very exciting and interesting! It is kind of being kept secret about what this special will actually focus on, but here are some pictures that I found interesting!

Here is also the TV Commercial that has recently been aired:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB0wpPCEMPQ

As tempting as it is, please do not give into any of the sneak peeks! The wait should be worth it!
It airs Sunday, April 27th, as the youtube video says at the end.

Check back soon for new book reviews!
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Merbaby By Teresa Bateman

Book Type: Children's Book
Author: Teresa Bateman
Pages: 32

Summary(goodreads.com):
Poor Tarron loves the sea, but fishing for his greedy brother, Josh, is drudgery. Then unexpected good fortune arrives. Tarron finds a treasure in his net -- an exquisite merbaby with sea-green eyes. As Josh happily points out, their fortunes are now made. But Tarron cannot sit so easily. His head tells him to sell the merbaby or charge people admission to see her, but his heart tells him to return her to the menfolk.

My Review:
Like I have said, I don't believe that just because a book is meant for children, that it should only be enjoyed by children. I absolutely love this book! In fact, I have read it twice. The plot of this story is so heartwarming, especially when Tarron returns the merbaby to the mermaid. It really shows that as savage as humans are, they can still sometimes have a heart when it comes to the sea. Not only is the plot of the story great, but the artwork is phenomenal! The colors and style of the drawings are incredible and really just make you want to look at the pictures after your done reading each page. This is definitely something a collector of mermaid books, like myself, will love to add to their mer-library. I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Mermaid Wisdom: Enrich Your Life With Insights From The Deep by Brenda Rosen

Book Type: Mermaid information/ Encyclopedia/ Spiritual Motivation for the human :)
Author: Brenda Rosen
Pages:160

Summary(goodreads.com):
As sirens and sea goddesses, mermaids have long enchanted humans. Today, with the renewed interest in these angels of the deep, devotees will welcome this unique, new guide to accessing mermaid wisdom for personal growth and transformation. Enter world myths and legends and meet the first mermaid, Atargatis; the Celtic Seal Maiden; Menana of Native America; and others. Unearth universal symbols that make their tales resonate with our own life stories. Dive into the depths of the unconscious, using visualization, journalizing, and other exercises and rituals. Then bring back a treasure of mermaid insights that will nurture the wild, natural woman within and lead the way to happier relationships; greater creativity; and a more balanced and harmonious daily life.

My Review:
When I first picked up this book, I was in a bad place at the time. I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, and it completely flipped my life upside down and I had completely lost my tail and didn't know who I was anymore. When I began reading this book, I knew it was instantly going to help me, and it did! This book really digs deep into the power of being a woman, and explores the woman's sexuality as well. Rosen makes the reader of Mermaid Wisdom question, what does it mean to you to be a woman? This book was full of mystical tales of mermaids from around the world, but it was also full of fun and spiritual activities that help explore your mind and the secrets within it,discover your inner mermaid and helps you discover who you are as a woman. I am definitely buying this book. It will help you too if you are in a stressful place and feel as if you have lost your fins! I give this book (*****) 5 stars
-Sirenita The Selkie

Lost Voices Series by Sarah Porter

Book type: novel
Author: Sarah Porter
Pages: 291

Summary(goodreads.com):
Fourteen-year-old Luce has had a tough life, but she reaches the depths of despair when she is assaulted and left on the cliffs outside of a grim, gray Alaskan fishing village. She expects to die when she tumbles into the icy waves below, but instead undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid. A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in—all of them, like her, lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives. Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: the mermaids feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers, using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks. Luce possesses an extraordinary singing talent, which makes her important to the tribe—she may even have a shot at becoming their queen. However her struggle to retain her humanity puts her at odds with her new friends. Will Luce be pressured into committing mass murder? The first book in a trilogy, Lost Voices is a captivating and wildly original tale about finding a voice, the healing power of friendship, and the strength it takes to forgive.

My Review: 
Even though I finished this book to see what happened at the end, I really did not like this book at all. It's kind of sad. The mermaids in this book are created by extremely terrible abuse they endure, and the "larvae" in this book are supposed to be abused babies that are not even cared or loved for, even as baby mermaids, which actually depressed me when I read it. Another element I did not enjoy was the juvenile language and actions of the characters. This book kind of reminded me of Lord Of The Flies  in that it is about a tribe of girls who eventually start turning on each other and even try to kill each other at one point. The only thing I enjoyed about this book is that the author was able to describe the scenes and characters very well, but I don't really recommend reading this. It was very sad the whole way through. I give this book (*) 1 star, which is something I rarely do.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Goosebumps: Deep Trouble by R.L. Stine

Book Type: Novel/short story
Author: R.L. Stine
Pages: 117

Summary(goodreads.com):
Billy and his sister, Sheena, are visiting their uncle Dr. Deep on a tiny Caribbean island. It's the perfect place to go exploring underwater...and Billy's ready for an adventure. There's only one rule to remember: Stay away from the coral reefs. Still, the reefs are so beautiful. So peaceful. Billy can't resist. But he's not alone in the water. Something's lurking deep below the surface. Something that's dark and scaly. Something that's half-human, half f-fish..

My Review: 
I know what your thinking. Goosebumps? A mermaid book? Really? And yes! I was just as surprised as you were. When I first picked this up, I didn't really read the back too much, but I was really surprised to find out the "sci-fi" creature in this book was a mermaid. I didn't expect Stine to write about a mermaid. This book was overall meant for children really. The plot was not twisted or unexpected, so there really wasn't much excitement, but I recommend that everyone tries a book at least once, no matter what someone rates it as. I give this book (**) 2 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Book Of Mermaids by Patricia Saxton

Book Type: Mermaid Information/ Encyclopedia
Author: Patricia Saxton
Pages: 28

Summary(goodreads.com):
If you have ever wondered what Mermaid life was really like, you can now journey under the sea into the everyday life of these enchanting creatures with this lavishly illustrated guide to Mermaid art, culture, fashion and magic.

My Review: 
What I do like about this book is it can somewhat be used as a source of real information. On the first page, Saxton describes the legend of the mermaid itself, and what merfolk are called around the world. However, that's the only part you can use as a source. The rest is purely for fun. In this book, some of the things that are listed are what a mermaids home and family life is like, a fun made-up mermaid language,the art mermaids create and the holidays they celebrate. I find some of this stuff to be a little to human-like. Is this information, like Ari Berks, possibly shared to Paxton through mermaids? Maybe. But it's definitely a cute read. I give this book (***) 3 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Secret World Of Mermaids by Francine Rose

Book Type: Mermaid information/encyclopedia
Author: Francine Rose
Pages: 40

Summary(goodreads.com):
Legends have long told of the powerful, mysterious creatures that are half human and half fish. This scrapbook is a collection of writings and "evidence" from Aunt Lydia. The four mermaid figures bundled with the book represent the four types of mermaids that can be found all over the world: the frequently spotted shipsavers; the wishgivers who help those in trouble; the shapeshifters who whimsically enter and exit the human world; and the weatherworks mermaids who bargain with humans for favors. Plenty of "factual" information is included.

My Review:
 I bought this book a very long time ago, so I have the little figurines it comes with! What I really like about this book is that it is set up in a way that you are uncovering evidence about a family's past, while also discovering the different types of mermaids out there. It is also full of fun articles and fake articles. Some of the features this book also includes is the mermaid map, where you can see which types of mermaids live in your area. Included on each type of mermaid page are things like its habitat, its life cycle, the disposition ect. I definitely recommend this as a fun read, but if you are writing a book or doing a project on mermaids, this is not the best source to use. This book however, is a fun collectible for someone who loves mermaid literature or mermaids in general! I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale by Carolyn Turgeon

Book type: Novel
Author: Carolyn Turgeon
Pages: 240

Summary(goodreads.com):
Princess Margrethe has been hidden away while her kingdom is at war. One gloomy, windswept morning, as she stands in a convent garden overlooking the icy sea, she witnesses a miracle: a glittering mermaid emerging from the waves, a nearly drowned man in her arms. By the time Margrethe reaches the shore, the mermaid has disappeared into the sea. As Margrethe nurses the handsome stranger back to health, she learns that not only is he a prince, he is also the son of her father's greatest rival. Sure that the mermaid brought this man to her for a reason, Margrethe devises a plan to bring peace to her kingdom. Meanwhile, the mermaid princess Lenia longs to return to the human man she carried to safety. She is willing to trade her home, her voice, and even her health for legs and the chance to win his heart... A surprising take on the classic tale, Mermaid is the story of two women with everything to lose. It will make you think twice about the fairy tale you heard as a child, keeping you in suspense until the very last page.

My Review: 
This was definitely a twist on the classic tale of The Little Mermaid. For those of you who haven't read the version of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson (the original), I really recommend you read it before reading this. It will help you understand the characters better and where their place is in the story. Don't worry, the original version isn't long at all. In fact, it's a rather short yet beautiful story. Although I really enjoyed this book, I found it depressing at some parts, especially the love that tears the two main female characters apart; Lenia and Margarethe. Like the summary above says, this is definitely a story that will keep you in suspense. I couldn't put this book down because at the end of each chapter, something new and exciting happens. The ending to this book was really beautiful as well, and will make you close the book with a smile on your face. I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Indigo by Alice Hoffman

Book type: novel/ short story
Author: Alice Hoffman
Pages: 84

Summary(goodreads.com):
Oak Grove is a dry, dusty town haunted by the memories of a past flood. Everyone dreads water--everyone except two brothers, Trevor and Eli McGill. Nicknamed Trout and Eel for their darting quickness and the thin webbing between their fingers and toes, the boys dream of the farthest seas and of a mysterious past they only half remember. In helping them reach their hearts' desire, Martha Glimmer, the boys' fierce and loyal friend, is intent on running away from memories of her old life--before her mother died, before her father lost himself in grief, before her heart was broken. Little do Martha, Trout, and Eel know that running away will leave them on a journey back to their own true natures.

My Review: 
This is part of the Water Tales series which includes Indigo and Aquamarine, both written by Alice Hoffman. I really enjoyed both stories, even though they were short. When I was younger, I read Indigo, but I never really appreciated it as much as I do now. I love Indigo's plot, because the story is based on finding who you are deep down, and where your home is. The fact is, we cannot hide our true natures, whether we have fins or legs! Trout and Eel, two of the main characters, found that they belonged to the sea, despite what there adopted parents told them. In many cases, the sea, as well as water itself, is an element of truth and serenity.  Finding who you are can be something that is locked up for many years, but I truly believe if you read Indigo, you will find your fins. I recommend this book to teenagers and adults alike. This is also a good read if you are going to the beach! I give this book (****) 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

To Catch A Mermaid by Suzanne Selfors

Book Type: Novel
Author: Suzanne Selfors
Pages: 256

Summary(goodreads.com):
Boom Broom doesn't think his life could get any worse. Ever since his mother was swept away by a twister, his family has gone crazy. They refuse to leave the house and Boom and his sister Mertyle are looked after by Halvor, the Viking descendant who rents the room over their garage. When Boom finds a baby mermaid who seems to grant unlimited wishes, he thinks his luck has turned around. That is, until his sister is hit by the curse of the merfolk. Now Boom and his best friend Winger must find a way to return the merbaby to its mother and save Mertyle before it is too late.

My Review:
 I cannot tell you how much I absolutely love this book! Not only is this one of my favorite mermaid books, it is one of my favorite books overall! Selfors brings a type of magic that most authors cant bring. Her thoughts and words are bright, colorful and bring you back to your favorite childhood story. This book has a type of whimsical nature, similar to Emily Windsnap. However, some might say this book is for children only, but I still recommend this to anyone who wants to have a good laugh in the book. Halvor is quite a hilarious character, but of course the character that really stood out to me was the baby mermaid. She is feisty, demanding and everything a baby mermaid would be. Selfors created this character perfectly. Unfortunatley, the ending was a bit of a cliff hanger. I would of liked to see a second book after this one. Hopefully she will write one soon! I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
- Sirenita The Selkie

Mermaid Park by Beth Mayall

Book Type: Novel
Author: Beth Mayall
Pages: 256

Summary(goodreads.com):
Sixteen-year-old Amy Rush doesn t expect much from her summer at the Jersey shore, until she stumbles on Mermaid Park, an old tourist spot where girls dress in fabulous costumes and put on underwater shows. Working at the park changes Amy's life in more ways than she could have imagined. She finds romance, a newfound self-confidence, and discovers breathtaking revelations about long-buried family secrets.

My Review: 
I can honestly say this book was okay and nothing more. It was kind of forgettable. When I first picked up this book from my library, I was expecting something magical. When I say magical, I don't mean pixies and fairy dust, but a little bit of undersea seduction. However, when I continued to read this, it seems it is only about a run down Wiki Watchee type place. If you want to read about REAL mermaid characters, this isn't the book for you. The mermaids in this book are just performers. I give this book (**) 2 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

A Mermaids Tale: A Personal Search for Love and Lore by Amanda Adams

Book Type: Authors Life that contains fantasy
Author: Amanda Adams
Pages: 208

Summary (goodreads.com):
Elusive, seductive, otherworldly, the mermaid is one of the most resonant of female archetypes, persisting across cultures and eras. In this singular study, Amanda Adams uses poetic language and invokes a wide range of representations and disciplines--from literature, poetry, and mythology to anthropology and folklore--to reclaim this icon of female power for modern readers. Beginning with Melusina, the bathing mermaid par excellence, Adams describes the seductive sirens and their honeyed songs, the powerful Arctic sea goddess Sedna, and the long-haired rusalki of Russian lore, among other legendary mermaids. As she tells their stories, she considers the womanly, passionate, rage-filled, and seductively sweet sides of the mermaid and how those traits reflect the lives and moods of women who live on drier shores. In discovering mermaids and their stories, the author presents a striking narrative of uncovering the unusual, the beautiful, and the extraordinary in her own life.

My Review: 
I found this book to be quite interesting. I didn't know Amanda Adams, but I found her tale about being a fan of mermaids since she was a child to be fun and whimsical. Anyone who has loved and treasured mermaids their whole life will be able to relate to this book at some point. One of my favorite parts of this book was when Adams described how she met a girl who reminded her of a selkie. At times, this book dragged on and got a bit boring, but overall, I enjoyed it.  There was also a number of beautiful pictures of paintings in this book. One of them includes one of my favorite paintings by Waterhouse listed at the side. Overall, I give this book (***) 3 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Secret History of Mermaids by Ari Berk

Book Type: Mermaid Information/ Encyclopedia
Author: Ari Berk
Pages: 48

Summary(goodreads.com):
Since ancient times, seafarers and coast-dwellers the world over have reported encounters with merpeople. Variously known as Finfolk, Dinny Mara, Nereids, Blue Men, and Merrymaids, merfolk have been the source of both gifts and disasters for humankind. Now a lavishly illustrated resource offers insight into the lives, origins, language, and magic of these elusive peoples. Like a siren’s song, this fascinating tome is sure to enthrall all who fall under its spell.


My Review: 
We all have to admit. Mermaids are creatures that are very elusive and secretive and rarely share the information on their society with humans!  Berk is so lucky that he was able to receive this information and now he is sharing what they told. The art in this book is quite amazing. If any of you mermaid lovers have read any Spiderwick books, the art is very similar to this. It is filled with beautiful sketches and paintings of the mermaids underwater world. It also includes a few other undersea creatures that will also fascinate you as well. This book also has a few pop ups and pull tabs that help you uncover the secrets of a mermaids life. I really think this book is a beautiful addition to anyone who loves mermaid literature, but to anyone who also loves undersea beings, or just loves fantasy. I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Teenage Mermaid by Ellen Schreiber

Book Type: Novel
Author: Ellen Schreiber
Pages: 160

Summary(goodreads.com):
Spencer almost drowns in a surfing accident when a sparkling, golden girl saves him with a kiss of life before she suddenly disappears. Where did this dream girl come from, and will she return? Lilly rescues a boy from nearly drowning and dangerously steps out of her own watery world. Curious to explore this forbidden land, she's gotta find her handsome Earthdude. A silver heart locket is their only clue. Ellen Schreiber revamps a classic favorite with a funky magical romance that shows what transpires when boy meets girl, but discovers girl is really a . . .

My Review: 
Teenage Mermaid; the title says it all. This is truly a book on the hardships of being a teenager, whether your a mermaid or a human! But this is also a story of mystical love. What I really enjoyed about this book is that it is written in two perspectives; the first is Lilly's view on what it's like to be a teenage mermaid and the obstacles she must endure to find her "earthdude", the boy she saved from drowning. The second point of view is Spencer, a surfer boy who is trying to find the girl he fell in love with who saved his life. My favorite part about this is how comical Lilly's point of view is! When she has to get a potion to receive legs to find Spencer is so witty! However, I think readers of mermaid literature will enjoy the ending of the book. It was quite a cliff hanger. This book is really easy to read and you can probably finish it in a day or two. I give this book (****) 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Midnight Pearls: A Retelling Of The Little Mermaid by Debbie Viguie

Book Type: Novel
Author: Debbie Viguie
Pages: 208

Summary (goodreads.com):
In a quiet fishing village seventeen years ago, one lone fisherman rescued a child from the sea. He and his wife raised the girl, Pearl, as their own daughter, never allowing themselves to wonder long about where she came from — or notice her silver hair, usually pale skin, and wide, dark blue eyes.Pearl grows from a mysterious child into an unusual young woman, not always welcomed in the village. As all the other girls her age find husbands, she has only one friend to ease her loneliness. One very special, secret companion: Prince James.But their friendship is shaken when trouble erupts in the kingdom — a conspiracy against the royal family combines with an evil enchantment from beneath the sea. Now, just when Pearl and James need each other most, bewitching magic and hints about Pearl's past threaten to tear them apart...forever.


My Review: 
This fairytale really captured my heart. Out of all The Little Mermaid remakes, this is truly one of my favorites. There is so much magic in this story that it was so hard to put it down. By the end of every chapter, you really want to know what Pearl, the main character's past is. What really also captured me was the friendship that Pearl and James shared with each other. Even though no man in Pearl's village would court her because of her pale skin and ghost-white hair, she finds companionship with a man that every girl in the village wishes they could even be with. I like that Viguie literally put a twist on this tale. Even though there were hints and elements of the original story of The Little Mermaid, she also put her own storyline as well. When combined, this is a very whimsical play on the classic story us mermaid lovers treasure. I give this story (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Fred The Mermaid series by Mary Janice Davidson

Book  Type: Novel

Author: Mary Janice Davidson

Pages In First Book: 251 

Summary of first book(goodreads.com):

Fred is not your ordinary mermaid. She's not blonde. She's not buxom. And she's definitely not perky. In fact, Fred can be downright cranky. And it doesn't help matters that her hair is blue. While volunteering at the New England Aquarium, Fred learns that there are weird levels of toxins in the local seawater. A gorgeous marine biologist wants her help investigating. So does her merperson ruler, the High Prince of the Black Sea. You'd think it would be easy for a mermaid to get to the bottom of things. Think again.

 My Review:

The sarcastic and cranky mermaid named Fred really captured me. She is different from most of the mermaid characters that I have read about. Perhaps because she is not a full mermaid. That's right. She's human out of the water, and a mermaid in the water. I thought the plot of this series was interesting, especially since she is a mermaid working at an aquarium. I also enjoyed the way Fred reacted when Artur, the Prince Of The Black Sea and the marine biologist tried to win her heart.  However, I was not comfortable with the amount of sex scenes and their desciptions throughout the series. It made the plot a little too sexual, so I do not recommend this for people under 16 years old.  Overall, I recommend this series to someone who is interested in adult romance novels, as well as mermaids. I give this series (***----****) between 3 and 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

My sisters :)

This is my mermaid collection :D

Seven Tears Into The Sea by Terri Farley

Book Type: Novel
Author: Terri Farley
Pages: 288

Summary (goodreads.com):
At the age of ten, Gwen Cooke had a strange encounter with a boy with dark, slightly tilted eyes. He came to her on the beach, whispered strange words in her ear, and then disappeared. Shortly thereafter, her family moved away from their seaside home and Gwen never saw the boy again. Now seventeen, Gwen is returning to her childhood home. Her nana asked her to come. But Gwen knows it's time to go back for another reason: She yearns for the sea. Perhaps the sea itself is calling to her. Perhaps the memory of the boy and his haunting words are drawing her back to the place they met. Perhaps it's time for her to face her destiny.

My Review: 
Before I begin my review, I would just like to point out that this book is not about just any mermaid. There about a very special type of mermaid call a Selkie. For those of you who do not know what a selkie is, it is a shapeshifter type of mermaid. They are seals when they are in the sea, however, if they wish to walk on land, they can shed their sealskin. Selkies have recently become a literary interest of mine, and I am trying to find more books on the elusive creatures. I could not put this book down the moment the main character, Gwen, arrives at her childhood home. What an adventure she has with a strange and handsome man! You will fall in love with the romance shared between Gwen and the mysterious man she meets. Not only that, the ending to the book is shocking. I have read this book twice, and both times I have cried at the end. However, whether it's because of something positive or negative, I will not say! I don't want to ruin it for you. This is a great book for people who love to read about selkies, romance or just mermaids in general. I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Aquamarine by Alice Hoffman

Book Type: Novel/Short Story
Author: Alice Hoffman
Pages: 112

Summary (goodreads.com): 
In this lyrical, poignant tale, two best friends spending their last summer together at a deserted beach club discover a beautiful, brokenhearted mermaid stranded in the swimming pool. How they resolve her search for love and thus save her life teaches the girls that friendship is forever, and that magic can be found in the most unexpected places

My Review: 
I have loved this book since I was in about third or fourth grade. I have loved mermaids since I was a child, so this has been a classic favorite to me for a very long time. Although this book is short, it is a very sweet and magical tale of love and friendship. That might sound corny, but it's the truth. It was not sappy, nor was it poorly written like I keep seeing on other websites. Pages do not create the story. It is what's on the pages that counts.   The characters really made this story come alive. The friendship between Claire and Hailey was so sister-like and beautiful. There is also Raymond, the dreamy lifeguard who is the main focal point of the mermaid's heart. And then there is Aquamarine, who is one of my favorite characters of all mermaid books. She is quirky, cranky, demanding and stubborn, but she has a big heart deep down. For lovers of mermaid books, this is definitely something you want to pick up, especially since the summer is coming. If you are a fast reader, you can probably read this in a day or two. I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie
PS> I realize that Aquamarine has become a movie, but it is TOTALLY different from the book in every way, shape and form. Please read the book before you watch the movie!! I cannot emphasize this enough!!

I must admit, I adore her tail! I wish I had one just like it :(

Sirena By Donna Jo Napoli

Book Type: Novel

Author: Donna Jo Napoli

Pages: 210 

Summary (goodreads.com): 

When Sirena and her sisters sing their siren songs to the sailors on their way to the Trojan War, the men crash their ships upon the rocks. There is one survivor. Sirena defies the goddess Hera by tending his wounds and soon the two are deep in love. But does Philoctetes love Sirena's song, or her soul? And will the pull of honor prove stronger than the bond of love?

My Review:

I really enjoyed reading this. I have known about this book for about four years, and I have read this book three times. The story seems to never get old to me. I really enjoy the way Napoli described everything. The scenes were so vivid and her language was so colorful that I could picture everything going on very clearly. When I started reading that this book involved Greek mythology I must admit I was quite timid at first because I always found it to be very complicated, but this wasn't, which is why I also enjoyed it. What really captured my heart was how much I can relate to Sirena, the main character. She is so dedicated to the ones she loves the most, that it was really touching. I definitely recommend this if your into romantic stories as well. I give this (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie