Tara and Her Talking Kitten Meet A Mermaid by Diana Cooper

Book Type: Children's Book
Author: Diana Cooper
Pages: 80

Summary(goodreads.com):
When a flood overwhelms her village, Tara enlists the help of her old friends the fairies and the Unicorn to help save a boy from drowning. Learning from this event, Tara undertakes a special mission to clean up the oceans. By organizing her school and with the help of politicians, Tara successfully builds a campaign to raise public awareness about environmental concerns. The fourth adventure in a magical series, this imaginative story creates clear discussion points allowing parents and teachers to talk to children about actions and consequences while offering ideas on ways to interact with and protect the earth.

My Review:
I loved this book! It was really creative and original. This seems to be a series, but you don't have to read the other books, since some of the background info is explained. I really like how this book introduced children to elemental magic, such as auras and light, and even archangels. Ash-ting the cat is my favorite character. He is so fickle, and reminds me of my own cat! I also like that the author went into different ways that the oceans are ruined by humans, but explained it in a way that was easy for kids to understand. The only negatives I have are that the language is a bit simplified and juvenile, so adults might not enjoy reading this. Also, the story seems to end abruptly, and I wanted more of a clearer ending. I give this book (***) 3 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Little Mermaid by Ronne Randall

Book Type: Children's Book
Author: Ronne Randall
Pages: 32

Summary(goodreads.com):
This Parragon fairy tale classic picture book features revised text ideal for beginning readers along with vibrant new illustrations. Children will love to follow along with their favorite characters!

My Review:
I was disappointed with the illustrations, as well as the plot of this book. I wanted more life and maturity for such a beautiful story, and made the Little Mermaid look 5 instead of 15.
The adaptation of the story was okay, but a lot of the major details from the original were left out, so it made the story boring and predictable. I don't recommend reading this adaptation. I give this book (**) 2 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Mermaid Tales #6: The Secret Seahorse by Debbie Dadey

Book Type: Novel
Author: Debbie Dadey
Pages: 112

Summary(amazon.com):
Of all the creatures in the ocean, sea horses are Echo Reef’s favorite. They’re sweet and gentle and they glide through the water so gracefully. When Echo discovers that Rocky Ridge, one of her Trident Academy classmates, has his own pet sea horse, she wants one right away. Not everyone agrees sea horses should be pets, however—perhaps they are happiest when swimming freely. But Echo thinks that if Rocky can make a sea horse happy, she can too! Can’t she?

My Review:
I was intrigued how the plot of this book would turn out, especially since it's about keeping wild animals as pets, something that is unfortunately very common today. Echo's obsession with seahorses is so cute. She reminds me of little girls who love ponies and horses :) 
There are two main lessons that kids will learn in this book. The first one is always be prepared and focused in school, especially when it comes to tests and quizzes. Second, the book focuses on the issue of keeping wild animals as pets, and the dangers it comes with as well. Sadly, I was disappointed with the ending, and I felt that it ruined the whole point of this lesson (which I won't give away). Overall, this Mermaid Tale was okay, but I didn't like it as much as the others. I give this book (***) 3 stars. 
-Sirenita The Selkie

Alonzo and Molly the Mermaid (Adventures of Alonzo the Chicken) by Debbie Kelly

Book Type: Children's Literature, Introduction to Chapters
Author: Debbie Kelly
Pages: 56

Summary(goodreads.com):
When Molly the Mermaid is kidnapped by the Pesky Pirates things don't look too clever. But then they hadn't reckoned on Alonzo, the world's first chicken superhero! With the help of Sid the Squid, Delores the Dolphin and the other sea creatures, our clucking hero swims in to save the day. This cracking, first book in the 'The Adventures of Alonzo the Chicken' series, Alonzo and Molly the Mermaid is a barmy, maritime adventure for early readers. Debbie Kelly has written a fun and swashbuckling book which accompanied by Monika Filipina Trzpil's delightful illustrations will delight young readers. With mermaids, pirates and a superhero chicken this is great fun for boys and girls alike.

My Review:
When I first found this book on my library's online catalog, I was a bit skeptical. A chicken? And a mermaid? I had to find out for myself! What I loved most about this book was the creativity, and how different it was from other children's books. Alonzo the chicken is definitely a character who stands out to me amongst other books I've read. I also loved the illustrations; they were so quirky and cute!
The only negative I have about this book is that it's meant for children learning how to read chapters, so adult readers might find the writing style a bit juvenile. This is also a series, so the book ends on a good cliffhanger! I give this book (****) 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Mermaid Tales #5: The Lost Princess by Debbie Dadey

Book Type: Novel
Author: Debbie Dadey
Pages: 128

Summary(goodreads.com):
Not one of the merkids in Shelly Siren’s third grade class can believe the shell-shattering news: Shelly is a princess! A real princess! It’s been a deep, dark secret in Trident City, but now everyone knows—and Shelly doesn’t know how to act. Should she start wearing a glittery crown? Or move to a grand undersea palace? Will her friends have to call her Princess Shelly? She knows it’s an exciting turn of events, but Shelly’s not sure she can truly fit the royal part. Can she find a way to be a princess and stay herself?

My Review:
I really enjoyed this book! What I loved most about it was Shelly's character and how she is such a good role model. She has all the qualities of a true princess such as kindness, modesty, friendliness and helpfulness as well. This story also reminded me of the classic tale, The Prince and The Pauper. I also really liked that this was a coming-of-age story, and Shelly is learning to grow up and make her own decisions regarding her ancestry. In one instance, Shelly uses her new authority for good instead of being a bully.
Lastly, this book also teaches that real friend will love you no matter what.
This is one of my favorite Mermaid Tales in the series and I give it (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Brides Of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan

Book Type: YA Novel
Author: Margo Lanagan
Pages:305

Summary(goodreads.com):
On remote Rollrock Island, men make their living--and fetch their wives--from the sea.
The Witch Misskaella knows how to find the girl at the heart of a seal. She'll coax a beauty from the beast for any man, for a price. And what man wouldn't want a sea-wife, to and to hold, and to keep by his side forever?
But though he may tell himself that he is the master, one look in his new bride's eyes will transform him just as much as it changes her. Both will be ensnared--and the witch will look on, laughing.
In this magical, seaswept novel, Margo Lanagan tells an extraordinary tale of desire, despair, and transformation. With devastatingly beautiful prose, she reveals characters capable of unspeakable cruelty, but also of unspoken love.

My Review:
When I first started this book, I became really curious. Who is this nasty woman Misskaella? Why is she so bitter? Well, the reader learns of her entire life.

Odd Language and Difficult to Understand:
This book is written a bit strangely, and some things and events are not blatantly stated, and I felt the reader has to assume much of what was happening. I was also lost many times throughout the book, mainly because the plot jumps around to different time periods, and the reader has to put the pieces of the story together. It felt disjointed.

Very Long Plot:
I didn't really become interested in the book until about 60 pages in. This is when the witch Misskaella discovers she has magical powers, and this is when the story really picks up! That being said, I felt that some of the plot was not necessary, and the book was very slow at some points. In addition, I wasn't satisfied with the ending, and I was left wanting more. Not to mention, the book ends with quite a depressing tone. I felt that the whole book was about how Misskaella wanted to make people miserable because she was teased for being a plus-sized woman.

Overall, this book was okay, but it wasn't really a page-turner. I give this book (***)  3 stars. 
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Selkie Bride by Melanie Jackson

Book Type: Romance Novel
Author: Melanie Jackson
Pages: 290

Summary(goodreads.com):
Recently widowed, Megan Culbin has inherited more than just a quaint cottage on the Scottish coast; she has inherited the ire of an ancient monster - and the protection of a virile Selkie warrior.

My Review:
So, where do I start with this book? The awkward writing, the dullness of the plot... this book was really torturous to finish.

Pathetic Main Character:
The story starts off slow, with the reader being introduced to Megan Culbin and how she is on her way to Scotland. She's broke, just escaped an abusive relationship and tells the reader that she isn't skilled or talented. Yay? 
I mean really, this is not a person I wanted to root for. I also found the language difficult and antiquated, almost awkward to read at times as well.
I also hated the relationship between Megan and Lachlan. Megan is pathetic and willing to do anything for Lachlan, though she barely knows him. Lachlan is very rough with her, and doesn't show her much compassion until the last page in the book! 

Boring Plot:
This book did not have an engaging plot at all. After 100 pages into the book, I was still waiting for something exciting to happen, but it really flat lined with no action or events to captivate the reader. When Lachlan and Megan finally encounter the finman, an ancient and evil creature, I didn't feel nervous for them. The battle just seemed too easy to win.

Overall, I was really disappointed with this plot, and it was agonizingly boring at times. I give this book (*) 1 star.
-Sirenita The Selkie