Emily Windsnap And The Ship Of Lost Souls (Book #6 In Series) by Liz Kessler

Book Type: YA
Author: Liz Kessler
Pages: 288

Summary(goodreads.com):
A field trip to a mysterious island quickly turns into an adventure when Emily Windsnap and Aaron discover a secret lookout point from which they spot a ghostly ship that no one else seems to be able to see. The ship appears and disappears only at certain times of day—growing fainter each time. Searching for answers only leads to more questions until Emily and her friends confront the island’s keeper, uncovering the incredible story of a ship caught between land and sea, day and night . . . life and death. Only Emily, with her ability to transform from mermaid to human, can enter Atlantis to try to bring the ship’s passengers back before the portal is closed forever. Emily knows that if she fails, not only will the passengers never see their loved ones again, but Emily won’t be able to return either. Will she be able to resist the allure of Atlantis and return home before it’s too late? 

My Review:
I was really excited that Kessler decided to write another book for the Emily Windsnap series! It's been a favorite since I was a young mer-girl. It's sad to say that I was disappointed with this latest addition to the series. The beginning and middle of the plot fell flat for me; it was a little boring. However, Kessler's descriptive language made me feel as if I was with Emily exploring the mysterious island along with her.

Without giving too much away, I also loved how Kessler incorporated Atlantis, but at times it became very complicated and I had to keep flipping back and forth throughout the book to re-read the details. This Emily Windsnap book was okay, but I don't feel it was the most exciting book in the series. For more info on the series, visit my full review: Emily Windsnap Series Full Series Review

I give this book (***) 3 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Second Book In The Mer Tales by Brenda Pandos Is Complete!

Hi Merfolk!

The second book of Mer Tales titled, Evergreen has been reviewed!

Check it out here:

Mer Tales by Brenda Pandos

Mermaid Tales #9: A Royal Tea by Debbie Dadey

Book Type: Novel
Author:Debbie Dadey
Pages: 112

Summary(goodreads.com):
When Shelly meets the Queen of the Western Oceans in this Mermaid Tales adventure, she encounters a royal dilemma! 
When a royal messenger announces that Queen Edwina is coming to tea, Shelly is as jittery as a jellyfish! After all, the Queen of the Western Oceans is her great aunt. And despite being a princess, Shelly has never met a queen before. How should she act? What should she wear? 
Then Pearl tells Shelly that the queen is going to take Shelly to live in Neptune's Castle: "It's where a real princess would live," Pearl tells her. Shelly is terrified of leaving her home, friends, and beloved grandfather behind. When the royal carriage arrives, she's trembling from the top of her head to the tip of her tail. What will Queen Edwina think of Princess Shelly? And will she really take Shelly away from the home she loves?

My Review:
There seems to be an endless amount of Mermaid Tales books and I can't keep up! I loved that this book focused on Shelly, since I identify with her. She's modest, and that's very important for kids to learn at a young age. I also loved that this book focused on the theme of true friendship. Echo and Kiki are real friends. They are there for her, whether she's a princess or needs help cleaning up her small apartment. Shelly's royal aunt is also very modest, and I love the gift she gave Shelly at the end! This was definitely one of my favorites.  *****( 5 stars).
-Sirenita The Selkie 

I'M BACK!!! :)

Hello Patient Mer-Readers!

I'm so sorry that I haven't swam by in a while. This semester was crazy! I'm finally done with school, and have a couple of merbooks to share with you :)

I'm also reading the new Emily Windsnap book, which will be on this blog sometime soon.

Merry Fishmas!
Sirenita

The End Of The Summer Reading Challenge 2015!

Hello Merfolk!

Well it's that amazing time of year again; autumn! I can't wait to feel cool, cozy and cuddle up with a mermaid book :)

This summer I was very busy, so unfortunately I was only able to read 12 mermaid books :( 

Oh well. Better luck next year!

Swim by soon for more awesome mermaid books, and dont forget to check my other blog for some updates.

-Sirenita The Selkie 

Stay tuned for some evil mermaids this fall ;)

(12) Mermaid Tales: Treasure In Trident City by Debbie Dadey

Book Type: Novel
Author: Debbie Dadey
Pages: 128

Summary(goodreads.com):

When Rocky finds a seaweed scroll that describes an abandoned pirate ship bursting with jewels, the students are tripping over their tails with excitement. There's only one problem: the treasure is supposedly guarded by pirate ghosts! But a few silly ghosts aren't going to keep prima donna Pearl away from fame, fortune, and diamonds as big as a merman's fist.
The hunt is on! Pearl recruits fellow merkids Rocky and Wanda to help her track down the treasure by swimming all the way past Whale Mountain. But when they discover the pirate ship, they hear eerie moans and groans coming from within. What's making those sounds? Could the pirate ghosts be real? And can the merkids get the jewels before becoming someone or something's lunch?

My Review:
I was a little surprised that Debbie Dadey decided to write a book about the mean girl of the series. However, I actually enjoyed this mermaid tale! I really love how so many interesting sea creatures were mentioned, such as bootlace worms and black dragonfish. I also found the plot to be more exciting compared to the other books in the series.
I only wish that Pearl would change her bad and bratty attitude! She's very annoying, and I wish she would change. I loved that this book teaches the value of life over possessions, and teamwork.
I give this book (****) 4 stars. 

(11) Tides by Betsy Cornwell

Book Type: Novel
Author: Betsy Cornwell
Pages: 304

Summary(goodreads.com):
When high-school senior Noah Gallagher and his adopted teenage sister, Lo, go to live with their grandmother in her island cottage for the summer, they don’t expect much in the way of adventure. Noah has landed a marine biology internship, and Lo wants to draw and paint, perhaps even to vanquish her struggles with bulimia. But then things take a dramatic turn for them both when Noah mistakenly tries to save a mysterious girl from drowning. This dreamlike, suspenseful story—deftly told from multiple points of view—dives deeply into selkie folklore while examining the fluid nature of love and family.

My Review:
I'm very pleased with the summer reading challenge so far! I've managed to find a lot of selkie books! What I loved about this book was the New England-in-the-summer setting. It reminded me of summers here on Long Island. I also loved how Noah had a crush on the mystery girl, Mara. She was definitely an intriguing character. The reader slowly unravels the mystery along with Noah. There's also many contemporary issues mentioned, including body image with girls, eating disorders, the pressure of fashion magazines on young women ,gay relationships, and how science has an evil side.
I also had a few problems with the plot. I found it unrealistic that at the end of the book, the adults let the teenagers confront the bad guy all by themselves. Why didn't the adults help them out? There are also issues of child abuse and animal abuse, so anyone sensitive to these issues should not read this book. I also found the book to be very graphic, and it was difficult to get through certain parts.
I wasn't especially crazy about how the plot progressed, so I give it (***) 3 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie