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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
Spoilers, obviously.
Ok first, I enjoyed this book. Second, I have so many damn questions. What happened to Undine? Was her whole life undone because the gods meddled with CC's timeline? Did none of it happen? Is the timeline safe because of the two different realms? Did Undine live CC's life for a month and then POOF find herself... where? when? back before she left? standing before her parents, very confused? MAJOR SPOILER: Why didn't the gods list "soul transference" as an option when Dylan was dying? Obviously they knew about it! The whole plot holds about as much water as a screen door. Why did CC need to exist at all? Why not just make it Undine's story and just give her CC's same personality. I came around to this element at the end, but.. just.. I don't know. I'm gonna go read the next one, though.
Ok first, I enjoyed this book. Second, I have so many damn questions. What happened to Undine? Was her whole life undone because the gods meddled with CC's timeline? Did none of it happen? Is the timeline safe because of the two different realms? Did Undine live CC's life for a month and then POOF find herself... where? when? back before she left? standing before her parents, very confused? MAJOR SPOILER: Why didn't the gods list "soul transference" as an option when Dylan was dying? Obviously they knew about it! The whole plot holds about as much water as a screen door. Why did CC need to exist at all? Why not just make it Undine's story and just give her CC's same personality. I came around to this element at the end, but.. just.. I don't know. I'm gonna go read the next one, though.
CC is able to become what I have always dreamed of being ever since I saw The Little Mermaid as a little girl. She gets to become a beautiful mermaid and to swim freely in the sea away from the responsibilities and confinements of the real world. Living right next the ocean myself it’s not hard to have this dream and very hard not to envy CC who can now swim with fishes and communicate with dolphins. Being a mermaid however isn’t all the magic CC had wished for because taking the beautiful Undine’s place comes with a price. Read more.
This is the first book in P.C. Cast’s “Goddess Summoning” series and one that I had not heard of until recently. It is an adult title that is a retelling of The Little Mermaid and since it is an adult book, who do you think recommended it to me? That would be my crazy awesome friend Monica from The Bibliophilic Book Blog. I am coming to realize that I owe almost all of my great adult title recommendations to her. She is mentioned frequently on my blog and whenever I see her I always joke with her about it. She always has a great book to recommend, so thanks again Monica!
The summary for this book confused me a little so I was hesitant about it, but once the story got going I was loving it. I will admit to being a little bored in the beginning. Why? Well, I have been reading very fast paced novels lately and this book is not that. The story had a gradual build that forces you to slow down and enjoy watching the events unfold. It was a nice change of pace for me, since lately every book I have read I devour so fast I sometimes forget to just slow down and enjoy reading. This book did that for me. I felt calm while reading it (well, up until the last 40 pages or so) but other than that I was happy to just take in each word and be enveloped in CC’s life.
I also remember Monica warning me that I would cry and I thought “No way, I don’t cry at books anymore!” Ha, I cried. I know, it was really unexpected! While it is hard for me to put out there that I did cry at this book, I am happy that an author can still pull that emotion out of me. It means I am really invested in the characters and the story really reached me. Make sense? Well, in my head it does. The more I sit here and digest what I read, the more I love this book. The story seeps into your soul so quietly you don’t realize how engrossed you really are and I love that this book has taken such a surprising hold on me.
I know this book came out a while ago and I am far behind in the series, but that means there are plenty of books for me to look forward to and I don’t have to wait to read them, yay! If you are looking a slow building story filled with adventure, romance and most of all magic, I would check this series out because it is wonderful!
Favorite Quote: “I want magic in my life
The summary for this book confused me a little so I was hesitant about it, but once the story got going I was loving it. I will admit to being a little bored in the beginning. Why? Well, I have been reading very fast paced novels lately and this book is not that. The story had a gradual build that forces you to slow down and enjoy watching the events unfold. It was a nice change of pace for me, since lately every book I have read I devour so fast I sometimes forget to just slow down and enjoy reading. This book did that for me. I felt calm while reading it (well, up until the last 40 pages or so) but other than that I was happy to just take in each word and be enveloped in CC’s life.
I also remember Monica warning me that I would cry and I thought “No way, I don’t cry at books anymore!” Ha, I cried. I know, it was really unexpected! While it is hard for me to put out there that I did cry at this book, I am happy that an author can still pull that emotion out of me. It means I am really invested in the characters and the story really reached me. Make sense? Well, in my head it does. The more I sit here and digest what I read, the more I love this book. The story seeps into your soul so quietly you don’t realize how engrossed you really are and I love that this book has taken such a surprising hold on me.
I know this book came out a while ago and I am far behind in the series, but that means there are plenty of books for me to look forward to and I don’t have to wait to read them, yay! If you are looking a slow building story filled with adventure, romance and most of all magic, I would check this series out because it is wonderful!
Favorite Quote: “I want magic in my life
It's ok
This book was really good until toward the end. I thought the ending was weird and the twist involved made the book worse. I would have given it more stars otherwise
This book was really good until toward the end. I thought the ending was weird and the twist involved made the book worse. I would have given it more stars otherwise
A well crafted tale full of so much love. This book did a great job with its "villains" seeing as I wanted to jump in the book and beat the living hell out of them so many times.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
In Cast's YA novel, Air Force officer Christine "CC" Canady wishes for some magic in her life. She is deployed to the Middle East but never makes it. Her plane goes down in the middle of the ocean. About to drown, CC encounters a mermaid who offers to change places with her. CC accepts and switches bodies with the mermaid, Undine. She learns Undine is the daughter of Gaea, the goddess of the Earth, and Lir, the god of the sea. The mermaid was looking to escape her life, pursued by her brother Saepedon who won't take no for an answer. Undine seeks the protection of Gaea, who gives her legs. She washes ashore and pretends to be a princess suffering from amnesia after a shipwreck. A brave knight named Andras rescues her and leaves her at a nearby monastery. But she isn't safe there. Saepedon finds her and begins to possess Andras. Meanwhile, the abbot is suspicious of CC. She has to sneak around to talk to Gaea as well as transform back into a mermaid every third night. When she's a mermaid, CC meets Undine's childhood friend Dylan. The two are drawn to each other and CC realizes she loves him. But Saepedon discovers their tryst, forcing CC to use her magic. The other women in the monastery cover for her, but Abbot William still is suspicious. Meanwhile, CC decides to pretend to be a Viking princess in order to keep the abbot in line and Andras decides to marry her. CC learns to be creative in her ways to avoid the men but she is caught while sneaking back from a meeting with Dylan. There, on the beach, everyone's fate is decided.
CC is an interesting protagonist. She's one women can identify with. She's insecure and believes she isn't as drop dead gorgeous as other women. She feels like men see her as the "best friend" or "little sister" type. After she performs her ritual to Gaea, she feels more confident and sexy. The following day, she gets noticed by a few men. I liked that; CC didn't have to change her appearance but only her attitude. It's empowering. Though shown in a stupid way. CC goes to get new dogtags for her mission and is waiting for an elevator. A woman stops her from getting on and then she gets tackled by a fireman. Turns out the elevator was out of service and CC was going to walk into an empty shaft. Now, many people who rely on elevators have this fear. But this is a very improbable situation. Pressing a button doesn't cause the elevator doors to open. It sends a signal to the elevator car to stop and then the car sends a signal for the doors to open. If the elevator is broken, the doors just won't open. So it's highly unlikely you will step into an empty shaft. It would probably be better for her to nearly walk into a hole or something to convey this.
But then Cast goes and ruins this. CC and Undine's switch means they switch bodies. So now CC has the beautiful body of the mermaid, with long blonde hair and big breasts. She's suddenly the common conception of "beautiful." And there goes the message of empowerment. I think Cast wanted to go with a message of "beauty brings its own problems" but abandons it for "men are intimidated by the power of women."
And the body switch also starts a very confusing section. Undine, as I said, is the daughter of Gaea, a Greek goddess, and Lir, an Irish god. CC is transported to a place where all the gods and goddesses live together. And that includes Christianity. Because Undine seeks shelter at a monastery in an island said to be medieval Wales. Cast even gives a year: 1084. So, I'm confused. Is it another world inhabited by the gods and goddesses? Or our world, but only certain people can see the gods and goddesses? And if so, why did she have to go back in time? There is never a proper explanation given. And CC reveals a good deal about her time, which the women love. They even enjoy dancing in modern ways, though I doubt a group of medieval women would be okay with being told to thrust their hips in a suggestive way. But if CC can't affect the future, than I guess it is a separate world.
As a Roman Catholic, the inclusion of Christianity doesn't offend me as much as it baffles me. Why did Cast feel the need to include it? Why couldn't CC just run into a powerful man who distrusted her? A man who was a priest for a god jealous of Gaea's power and influence? Or was it done just for the chance to accuse her of witchcraft? Which at the time, Christianity viewed witchcraft as heresy (evidence of idoltry) but not as its own crime as magic does not exist. Anyway, while the inclusion of Christianity isn't offensive to me, there is one aspect that is. It's when Ms. Cast says Mary, the Blessed Mother, is an incarnation of Gaea, the goddess of the Earth. NO. You cannot compare the MOTHER OF GOD to a PAGAN GODDESS. As far as I'm concerned, Mary was a real person. Gaea wasn't. So it is insulting to Christianity to say Mary is just our reimagining of Gaea. This is another case where it probably would've been best if Cast left Christianity out of it as well. Just use all the mythical gods and goddesses and not try to mix them in with Christianity.
Which leaves so many unanswered questions about one of our villains. Why did William then turn to Christianity? And why did he just scorn women when both his parents exiled him? Is that why he chose to settle into a religion which denies the existence of the other gods? And there were several hints that William was gay and sexually attracted to Andras? So why was he drawn to a religion that forbids such a relationship? Or is it because he is able to twist Christianity's beliefs to suit his needs? Or that being a priest gave him power he may have been denied by his parents? He did, after all, befriend Andras' father and that is how he ended up being abbot. There is so much left unanswered for a villain as complicated as Abbot William. Saepedon isn't: he's the son of the sea god and used to complete control. Undine spurned him and he threw a tantrum. Simple as that.
I also think Cast needs to lose the ancient Wales setting. Not much is going to be lost, honestly. With the exception of some reminders, nothing about the setting screams "Wales." In my head, I see a tropical island honestly. Perhaps because CC's plane crashed in the Mediterranean? And why didn't Ms. Cast just use an island in the Mediterranean? It's by three ancient cultures whose myths we all know--the Greeks, the Romans, and the Egyptians.
Let's move on to the romance. I thought the one with the most potential was the one between CC and Sean, the soldier CC befriends on her flight. But then he dies. And CC ends up in Undine's body, pursued by Saepedon and Andras. It's made clear that there is no chance of romance between Saepedon and CC. But the book blurb makes it sound like Andras is considered a viable romance option when he's not. CC writes him off shortly after arriving on the island. She is instantly attracted to Dylan, the merman who helps her. Except that Cast falls into the same problem I mentioned in my review of [b:By His Majesty's Grace|10407823|By His Majesty's Grace (The Three Graces, #1)|Jennifer Blake|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347729288s/10407823.jpg|15311904]: she mistakes sex for romance. Dylan helps CC to shore and teaches her how to be a mermaid. Two meetings and then sex with proclamation of everlasting love. It may just be me, but one of the reasons I like romances is because you get to watch the relationship grow. CC and Dylan's relationship missed the steps between initial meeting and "love you for eternity." spoilerAnother problem is that Dylan is revealed to be Undine's childhood playmate who had an unrequited love for her. While Dylan is the only one to address her as Christine in this world and he swears he loves her, I still can't help but wonder if those steps were skipped because Dylan now has what he wanted--Undine, even if the soul is different. I think we needed to see more of CC and Dylan's relationship than just them having sex.
So is the book one to avoid? Not necessarily. It's good escapist fantasy and has a good story. I just think Cast needed to tighten a few things to make it a great story.
And to lose the Christianity aspect.
CC is an interesting protagonist. She's one women can identify with. She's insecure and believes she isn't as drop dead gorgeous as other women. She feels like men see her as the "best friend" or "little sister" type. After she performs her ritual to Gaea, she feels more confident and sexy. The following day, she gets noticed by a few men. I liked that; CC didn't have to change her appearance but only her attitude. It's empowering. Though shown in a stupid way. CC goes to get new dogtags for her mission and is waiting for an elevator. A woman stops her from getting on and then she gets tackled by a fireman. Turns out the elevator was out of service and CC was going to walk into an empty shaft. Now, many people who rely on elevators have this fear. But this is a very improbable situation. Pressing a button doesn't cause the elevator doors to open. It sends a signal to the elevator car to stop and then the car sends a signal for the doors to open. If the elevator is broken, the doors just won't open. So it's highly unlikely you will step into an empty shaft. It would probably be better for her to nearly walk into a hole or something to convey this.
But then Cast goes and ruins this. CC and Undine's switch means they switch bodies. So now CC has the beautiful body of the mermaid, with long blonde hair and big breasts. She's suddenly the common conception of "beautiful." And there goes the message of empowerment. I think Cast wanted to go with a message of "beauty brings its own problems" but abandons it for "men are intimidated by the power of women."
And the body switch also starts a very confusing section. Undine, as I said, is the daughter of Gaea, a Greek goddess, and Lir, an Irish god. CC is transported to a place where all the gods and goddesses live together. And that includes Christianity. Because Undine seeks shelter at a monastery in an island said to be medieval Wales. Cast even gives a year: 1084. So, I'm confused. Is it another world inhabited by the gods and goddesses? Or our world, but only certain people can see the gods and goddesses? And if so, why did she have to go back in time? There is never a proper explanation given. And CC reveals a good deal about her time, which the women love. They even enjoy dancing in modern ways, though I doubt a group of medieval women would be okay with being told to thrust their hips in a suggestive way. But if CC can't affect the future, than I guess it is a separate world.
As a Roman Catholic, the inclusion of Christianity doesn't offend me as much as it baffles me. Why did Cast feel the need to include it? Why couldn't CC just run into a powerful man who distrusted her? A man who was a priest for a god jealous of Gaea's power and influence? Or was it done just for the chance to accuse her of witchcraft? Which at the time, Christianity viewed witchcraft as heresy (evidence of idoltry) but not as its own crime as magic does not exist. Anyway, while the inclusion of Christianity isn't offensive to me, there is one aspect that is. It's when Ms. Cast says Mary, the Blessed Mother, is an incarnation of Gaea, the goddess of the Earth. NO. You cannot compare the MOTHER OF GOD to a PAGAN GODDESS. As far as I'm concerned, Mary was a real person. Gaea wasn't. So it is insulting to Christianity to say Mary is just our reimagining of Gaea. This is another case where it probably would've been best if Cast left Christianity out of it as well. Just use all the mythical gods and goddesses and not try to mix them in with Christianity.
Spoiler
Especially as it is ultimately revealed that Abbot William is the son of Gaea and Lir.Which leaves so many unanswered questions about one of our villains. Why did William then turn to Christianity? And why did he just scorn women when both his parents exiled him? Is that why he chose to settle into a religion which denies the existence of the other gods? And there were several hints that William was gay and sexually attracted to Andras? So why was he drawn to a religion that forbids such a relationship? Or is it because he is able to twist Christianity's beliefs to suit his needs? Or that being a priest gave him power he may have been denied by his parents? He did, after all, befriend Andras' father and that is how he ended up being abbot. There is so much left unanswered for a villain as complicated as Abbot William. Saepedon isn't: he's the son of the sea god and used to complete control. Undine spurned him and he threw a tantrum. Simple as that.
I also think Cast needs to lose the ancient Wales setting. Not much is going to be lost, honestly. With the exception of some reminders, nothing about the setting screams "Wales." In my head, I see a tropical island honestly. Perhaps because CC's plane crashed in the Mediterranean? And why didn't Ms. Cast just use an island in the Mediterranean? It's by three ancient cultures whose myths we all know--the Greeks, the Romans, and the Egyptians.
Let's move on to the romance. I thought the one with the most potential was the one between CC and Sean, the soldier CC befriends on her flight. But then he dies. And CC ends up in Undine's body, pursued by Saepedon and Andras. It's made clear that there is no chance of romance between Saepedon and CC. But the book blurb makes it sound like Andras is considered a viable romance option when he's not. CC writes him off shortly after arriving on the island. She is instantly attracted to Dylan, the merman who helps her. Except that Cast falls into the same problem I mentioned in my review of [b:By His Majesty's Grace|10407823|By His Majesty's Grace (The Three Graces, #1)|Jennifer Blake|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347729288s/10407823.jpg|15311904]: she mistakes sex for romance. Dylan helps CC to shore and teaches her how to be a mermaid. Two meetings and then sex with proclamation of everlasting love. It may just be me, but one of the reasons I like romances is because you get to watch the relationship grow. CC and Dylan's relationship missed the steps between initial meeting and "love you for eternity." spoilerAnother problem is that Dylan is revealed to be Undine's childhood playmate who had an unrequited love for her. While Dylan is the only one to address her as Christine in this world and he swears he loves her, I still can't help but wonder if those steps were skipped because Dylan now has what he wanted--Undine, even if the soul is different. I think we needed to see more of CC and Dylan's relationship than just them having sex.
Spoiler
Perhaps then Dylan's death at the end would've been more nailbiting. I saw what was coming immediately. CC decides to go back to her "world" or "time" (still not sure), back to the moment of the accident. She is rescued by dolphins--which is apparently shocking to everyone despite repeated scientific studies showing dolphins will help humans in need--and Sean suddenly comes back to life. Yes, Dylan's spirit now resides in Sean's body. I would rather Sean come back or CC move on with someone who didn't like her because she looked like his ex.So is the book one to avoid? Not necessarily. It's good escapist fantasy and has a good story. I just think Cast needed to tighten a few things to make it a great story.
And to lose the Christianity aspect.
This was a fun book to read. But while I do enjoy fantasy, I still like there to be some logic to it. There didn't seem to be any reason for Christine to go back in time when she became a mermaid. And when she decided that she wanted to spend the rest of her life in the sea with her merman lover, she never thought about what she would DO under the sea when she wasn't having sex or swimming around admiring the sea life!
Read this because I recalled liking the authors other YA series when I was younger. This one is more adult..? Also there are many in the series so I appreciate that.
All I can say about this book is WOW, I loved it from beginning to end and I hope the rest of the goddess summoning series is this good!