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coffeebreath27's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
other than the characters this was so nothing like the movie??? lol still enjoyed reading it though.
marcia_94's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I saw the movie many years ago and it's one of my favourites but only recently discovered it was based on this novella. It is cute and a homage to friendship. But ultimately, I prefer the movie. 😊
nyxii's review against another edition
1.0
I had just finished reading [b:Bridge To Teribithia|1946134|Bridge To Teribithia|Katherine Paterson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1190705319s/1946134.jpg|2237401] by [a:Katherine Paterson|1949|Katherine Paterson|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1314929618p2/1949.jpg], and, on a whim/book-induced high, I picked up my copy of [b:Aquamarine|527923|Aquamarine|Alice Hoffman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328869016s/527923.jpg|4030682] that I had bought in 2006 as a young girl. I had never read it before today. Well, that was a mistake. It was, quite honestly, a waste of time.
Things that truly bothered me:
- this book.
- the characters.
- the plot.
Alright, the book as a whole was just plain bad. The plot and the characters made it painful to read. It was just awful. As far as I can tell, there really wasn't much of a plot to begin with, but rather an unoriginal idea. How many books are there about best friends moving away? Hmm.. let's just throw an irritating, conceited Mermaid into that and, BAM, we have a completely new & fresh idea. Gaaah. What is wrong with people? The characters were so unbelievably flat and stupid that I cannot believe this book was published. Claire & Hailey were just stupid, Raymond was a tool [he didn't do anything to make the plot progress, he was just sort of there], and Aquamarine was a bitch. The book may be centered around a mermaid, but, the book isn't really about the mermaid/fantasy whatsoever. Just about two girls who are flatter than a piece of paper. There was no depth at all and I was bored out of my mind while reading it.
There is such a lack of depth with this book that I cannot write a proper review because, well, there's NOTHING to write about.
I think this is the worst book I have read to date. Legit.
Things that truly bothered me:
- this book.
- the characters.
- the plot.
Alright, the book as a whole was just plain bad. The plot and the characters made it painful to read. It was just awful. As far as I can tell, there really wasn't much of a plot to begin with, but rather an unoriginal idea. How many books are there about best friends moving away? Hmm.. let's just throw an irritating, conceited Mermaid into that and, BAM, we have a completely new & fresh idea. Gaaah. What is wrong with people? The characters were so unbelievably flat and stupid that I cannot believe this book was published. Claire & Hailey were just stupid, Raymond was a tool [he didn't do anything to make the plot progress, he was just sort of there], and Aquamarine was a bitch. The book may be centered around a mermaid, but, the book isn't really about the mermaid/fantasy whatsoever. Just about two girls who are flatter than a piece of paper. There was no depth at all and I was bored out of my mind while reading it.
There is such a lack of depth with this book that I cannot write a proper review because, well, there's NOTHING to write about.
I think this is the worst book I have read to date. Legit.
gracethesnail's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
msamandalynnreads's review against another edition
3.0
It's a cute Novella with a story loosely similar to the little merimaid. however, there were points in the writing it was confusing why a few random lines got put in the story
oliviaburley's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This sweet mermaid story is much more melancholic than its movie adaptation. Alice Hoffman really encapsulates the innate sadness of girlhood and the pain moving away, never being able to return to a place you once loved, and growing up.
12dejamoo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A simple, sweet story about friendship and youth and also a mermaid. I definitely preferred this to the teenage awkwardness/cringe-baiting-ness of the film. Somehow the tone of the writing was so pleasant to read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
allysunsun's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the movie Aquamarine as a kid and finally wanted to get around to reading it. It was pretty good.
suzannedix's review against another edition
4.0
extremely fast read - much like a short story. Nice story of the bond of friendship and how much it means to have someone who believes in you.