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halynah's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good! I loved the first part of the book better, despite the second one being more eventful. The writing was easy to read and the characters very rather interesting, romance could be sweeter, but still I enjoyed the book.
thewenzl's review against another edition
4.0
3.5. It was super cute, and a very quick read. I will definitely read the next one.
justlily's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't expecting to enjoy this as much as I did! Before this I had really bad luck with YA siren/mermaid stories. I honestly can't think of another one that I even liked, but I can think of a handful that I absolutely loathed.
But this was good! Except........for Delia. The main character. Who is the stupidest, brattiest, most selfish little *insert colorful word here* that she possibly could have been. The island and all its side characters were great. The mythology was great. Everything was great except for the fact that every time Delia opened her mouth (which is a lot, unfortunately) I wanted to punch her in the throat.
She constantly puts herself before absolutely everyone else, including her friends and family, and not just in a "lookin out for #1" type way. But in a "I'm literally about to get every single one of you murdered....but it's okay because I refuse to just play nice! I'm a strong independent siren who...doesn't give a shit if you die or not." It's really unbecoming and ruins the whole wayward orphan finds a home effect that the author was going for.
Ignoring Delia, I enjoyed reading this. It went fast, kept my interest. Good stuff.
But this was good! Except........for Delia. The main character. Who is the stupidest, brattiest, most selfish little *insert colorful word here* that she possibly could have been. The island and all its side characters were great. The mythology was great. Everything was great except for the fact that every time Delia opened her mouth (which is a lot, unfortunately) I wanted to punch her in the throat.
She constantly puts herself before absolutely everyone else, including her friends and family, and not just in a "lookin out for #1" type way. But in a "I'm literally about to get every single one of you murdered....but it's okay because I refuse to just play nice! I'm a strong independent siren who...doesn't give a shit if you die or not." It's really unbecoming and ruins the whole wayward orphan finds a home effect that the author was going for.
Ignoring Delia, I enjoyed reading this. It went fast, kept my interest. Good stuff.
heather4994's review against another edition
2.0
Ummm.... too fast. No depth to the characters. Way too many questions left unanswered. Don't need a sequel though.
mctmama's review against another edition
4.0
a mysterious island off the coast of Maine, sea creatures, and a love interest. A good choice for paranormal romance lovers!
colorcrystals's review against another edition
4.0
Trespass Island hides its secrets from the outside world extraordinarily well. And then Delia McGovern arrived.
Revel was absolutely amazing. Face-paced, well written, and humorous, I'd love it if I could give Revel 4.5 stars.
I'm usually torn after reading books with Greek mythology woven in. I tend to enjoy them, but discrepancies with the storyline and myths bug me. It was nice to read a novel that included mythology, but not enough for there to really be any major discrepancies.
The suspense in this novel made impossible for me to put down. You know something is going on, but you don't know what. Then Guibord throws in a plot twist, making you want even more. Guibord also did a nice job with the budding romances in Revel. They were there, but romance wasn't the main focus.
My only real problem with the book was the lack of development of the characters. Delia had the most development, which was appropriate because she is the main character. I would have liked to see the other characters developed more thoroughly.
Overall, this book was amazing. As I said before, I wish I could give it 4.5 stars.
Revel was absolutely amazing. Face-paced, well written, and humorous, I'd love it if I could give Revel 4.5 stars.
I'm usually torn after reading books with Greek mythology woven in. I tend to enjoy them, but discrepancies with the storyline and myths bug me. It was nice to read a novel that included mythology, but not enough for there to really be any major discrepancies.
The suspense in this novel made impossible for me to put down. You know something is going on, but you don't know what. Then Guibord throws in a plot twist, making you want even more. Guibord also did a nice job with the budding romances in Revel. They were there, but romance wasn't the main focus.
My only real problem with the book was the lack of development of the characters. Delia had the most development, which was appropriate because she is the main character. I would have liked to see the other characters developed more thoroughly.
Overall, this book was amazing. As I said before, I wish I could give it 4.5 stars.
randomly_kait's review against another edition
5.0
LOVED it! Is there going to be a sequel?? I feel like it could work either way (As a standalone, or part of a series) though I do really hope that there is going to be more!
jenbsbooks's review
4.0
I try to vary my topic in my paranormal reading ... vampires, zombies,angels, post-apocalyptic. Not as many merman/myth/siren stories. I did enjoy the story and sped right through it. I did feel like there were still some unaddressed issues, although it really wasn't set up for a sequel (which is ok too, I'm fine with this ending here).
naduah82's review
4.0
Ready for an unexpected plot twist? Check!
What about an original take on Greek Mythology? Check!
Want to squeeze in some charming romance? Check!
I read Revel back in May before I started blogging, I was in the mood for something adventurous with a splash of romance and something mythological. Needless to say Revel hit the nail on the head! Now going into Revel I did not read much of the summary on this story. The only thing I knew is that it centered around an island, greek mythology, mermaids & sea monsters.
The beginning was sort of slow for me, but boy was I glad I hung in there because the middle and end are so good! The thing I liked about this book was that it almost seemed to be a mashup of genres. The beginning had a contemporary feel to it, the middle and end more of the mythological/paranormal feel. I have read books in the past about mermaids and while they were good they weren’t great. Revel is one of the greats!!
Normally I love books with a 50/50 ratio of romance & action. This book I’d say was 20% romance, but it was a perfect mix for this plot. I will say the author is GREAT at changing it up and making your head spin in a commendable way!
Overall this book was a fun and interesting read. There were a few really good plot twist that were completely unexpected that I loved. I really enjoyed the Greek mythology that was intertwined into the book. If you want to read a YA with an original storyline mixed with mythology and mermaids this book is for you!
What about an original take on Greek Mythology? Check!
Want to squeeze in some charming romance? Check!
I read Revel back in May before I started blogging, I was in the mood for something adventurous with a splash of romance and something mythological. Needless to say Revel hit the nail on the head! Now going into Revel I did not read much of the summary on this story. The only thing I knew is that it centered around an island, greek mythology, mermaids & sea monsters.
The beginning was sort of slow for me, but boy was I glad I hung in there because the middle and end are so good! The thing I liked about this book was that it almost seemed to be a mashup of genres. The beginning had a contemporary feel to it, the middle and end more of the mythological/paranormal feel. I have read books in the past about mermaids and while they were good they weren’t great. Revel is one of the greats!!
Normally I love books with a 50/50 ratio of romance & action. This book I’d say was 20% romance, but it was a perfect mix for this plot. I will say the author is GREAT at changing it up and making your head spin in a commendable way!
Overall this book was a fun and interesting read. There were a few really good plot twist that were completely unexpected that I loved. I really enjoyed the Greek mythology that was intertwined into the book. If you want to read a YA with an original storyline mixed with mythology and mermaids this book is for you!
lecrockett's review
1.0
Delia McGovern is determined to find out why and how her mother escaped the unmapped Trespass Island. When she arrives, the people find her dangerous and odd, an outsider bringing death and fear into their peaceful haven. As the Revel celebration approaches, Delia discovers a frightening secret lurking in the waters -- imprisoning the inhabitants as well as keeping trespassers out.
I wanted to enjoy this. I loved the idea of some otherworldly sea creature preventing inhabitants from leaving and newcomers from entering. The ocean is a vast and alien world, a frontier not yet fully explored, so having some sort of monster there is alluring. Sure, throw in some Greek demigods as well for fun, but the mysterious, frightening aspects was what I was looking for.
Guibord failed me. First, Delia was just plain odd for a character. Her internal thoughts were intelligent and somewhat snarky, but everything that came out of her mouth was stilted. The dialogue was off -- from everyone, not just Delia -- and the actions were unjustified.
Second, this book could have been written in so many different (and better) ways. Toss out the love triangle, first of all. The horror and tension would have been much better if Jax was seen as a monster throughout. The pull to the water Delia experiences would have been more terrifying, it would make her have difficulty coming to terms with her identity. That would have been interesting. Another aspect would have been introducing the monsters later in the novel, rather than right at the beginning. Telling us immediately what makes this island odd doesn't add suspense, it kills it. The mystery of the caves no longer seems dire. If Delia were to slowly discover the caves, slowly experience how she feels in the water, slowly piece things together about the island, Trespass would become a terrifying place, and the monsters even more frightening!
Finally, the excuse of a celebration -- Revel -- could have been the conclusion. Delia's identity surrounds Revel. The book is called Revel. The plot Guibord writes, however, does not. And that's such a disappointment.
Open with weird events and history of the island, progress to enjoying the water and discovering the caves, continue into the eerie aspect of Jax and the fierce protectiveness of the caves, climax at the discovery of the monsters, and a huge action/ending with Revel and self-discovery (all the while with little doses of Sean-love). That's the book I thought I was going to read.
I wanted to enjoy this. I loved the idea of some otherworldly sea creature preventing inhabitants from leaving and newcomers from entering. The ocean is a vast and alien world, a frontier not yet fully explored, so having some sort of monster there is alluring. Sure, throw in some Greek demigods as well for fun, but the mysterious, frightening aspects was what I was looking for.
Guibord failed me. First, Delia was just plain odd for a character. Her internal thoughts were intelligent and somewhat snarky, but everything that came out of her mouth was stilted. The dialogue was off -- from everyone, not just Delia -- and the actions were unjustified.
Second, this book could have been written in so many different (and better) ways. Toss out the love triangle, first of all. The horror and tension would have been much better if Jax was seen as a monster throughout. The pull to the water Delia experiences would have been more terrifying, it would make her have difficulty coming to terms with her identity. That would have been interesting. Another aspect would have been introducing the monsters later in the novel, rather than right at the beginning. Telling us immediately what makes this island odd doesn't add suspense, it kills it. The mystery of the caves no longer seems dire. If Delia were to slowly discover the caves, slowly experience how she feels in the water, slowly piece things together about the island, Trespass would become a terrifying place, and the monsters even more frightening!
Finally, the excuse of a celebration -- Revel -- could have been the conclusion. Delia's identity surrounds Revel. The book is called Revel. The plot Guibord writes, however, does not. And that's such a disappointment.
Open with weird events and history of the island, progress to enjoying the water and discovering the caves, continue into the eerie aspect of Jax and the fierce protectiveness of the caves, climax at the discovery of the monsters, and a huge action/ending with Revel and self-discovery (all the while with little doses of Sean-love). That's the book I thought I was going to read.