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sprainedbrain's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
joanav's review
4.0
I've received this book in exchange for a honest review
3.5*
Full review: http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2016/04/livro-mer-charmer-de-amy-bearce.html
Review in Portuguese: http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2016/04/livro-mer-charmer-de-amy-bearce.html
The first book of this series wasn’t extraordinary, but it left me wanting to know what would happen in the second book. And I’m glad I did read it, because this book was better than the first one.
(...)
If you read the first book, you know that Sierra’s boyfriend, the faun Micah, can smell certain fragrances that distinguish people with magical abilities. In this book, we learn that when he met Phoebe, Micah smelled the sea in her, but it was so subtle he thought it was related with the “borrowed” magic her merfolk friends would give her to allow her to breathe underwater. Something happens and we realize that Phoebe really does have magic connected to the sea and the ocean.
(...)
Phoebe, with her newly discovered magic and some other adventures, decides to help Tristan and his people, to correct the wrongs mankind had done to them and, above all, to thank Tristan and Mina for saving her from a disgusting man. But the merfolk, with good reason, don’t trust her and they’re afraid that she’ll try to enslave them again, and Phoebe almost loses her life trying to prove them wrong. It’s at this point in the book that all the major adventures happen, so I won’t develop it much more. It’s an adventure full of magic, ancient temples and dark abysses.
(...)
Although in the first book I wasn’t quite pleased with the writing that seemed a bit youngish, in this one that didn’t bother me and I was always anxious about reading the next chapter. It was a story full of adventure and with a very sweet and innocent romance. I’m glad I read it.
3.5*
Full review: http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2016/04/livro-mer-charmer-de-amy-bearce.html
Review in Portuguese: http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2016/04/livro-mer-charmer-de-amy-bearce.html
The first book of this series wasn’t extraordinary, but it left me wanting to know what would happen in the second book. And I’m glad I did read it, because this book was better than the first one.
(...)
If you read the first book, you know that Sierra’s boyfriend, the faun Micah, can smell certain fragrances that distinguish people with magical abilities. In this book, we learn that when he met Phoebe, Micah smelled the sea in her, but it was so subtle he thought it was related with the “borrowed” magic her merfolk friends would give her to allow her to breathe underwater. Something happens and we realize that Phoebe really does have magic connected to the sea and the ocean.
(...)
Phoebe, with her newly discovered magic and some other adventures, decides to help Tristan and his people, to correct the wrongs mankind had done to them and, above all, to thank Tristan and Mina for saving her from a disgusting man. But the merfolk, with good reason, don’t trust her and they’re afraid that she’ll try to enslave them again, and Phoebe almost loses her life trying to prove them wrong. It’s at this point in the book that all the major adventures happen, so I won’t develop it much more. It’s an adventure full of magic, ancient temples and dark abysses.
(...)
Although in the first book I wasn’t quite pleased with the writing that seemed a bit youngish, in this one that didn’t bother me and I was always anxious about reading the next chapter. It was a story full of adventure and with a very sweet and innocent romance. I’m glad I read it.
katleap's review
4.0
4 stars
I received an e-ARC copy of Mer-Charmer from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It has been four years since Sierra rescued Phoebe from Bentwood and brought magic back to its true use. Phoebe is still terrified of all she endured in her captivity but the ocean, and her mer friends, bring her peace. She also really wants to fit into Sierra’s world and have magic so she can help her sister. When Phoebe finds a merfolk corpse that has been strangely killed she finds herself thrust into all the magic and adventure she could want.
I liked Mer-Charmer more then The Fairy Keeper. I feel like this book is more fleshed out and the writing is better. Sierra, while a strong willed tough character, can be a bit overbearing. Phoebe was an interesting character. She is shy but wants to help her friends and her sister. She worries about if she’s doing the right thing and when her magic comes out she is conflicted about if its influencing her friends.
I liked seeing Phoebe with Tristan and Mina. It was nice to see how close the three of them were and how they trusted each other. I did really like seeing their friendship and I felt that the romance came across as real and natural. I enjoyed how Tristan and Phoebe tried to hide their feelings for one another but not because of rejection but because they were shy. It was super cute. Mina was fun and a good secondary character.
The fact that the merfolk didn’t just accept Phoebe and what she could do was really accurate. I did feel that their attitudes made sense and I wouldn’t have liked the book so much if everything had just come easy to Phoebe. I liked the history of the merfolk and the city of Lyr. I wanted to know more about mer-tears and the mystery surrounding them.
I thought that the descriptions in the book worked really well and I was drawn really easily into the world. This underwater world has so much to explore and the visuals were easy to see. It was good to see the other creatures that made the ocean their home, the predators and peaceful ones alike. I also really appreciated that just because something was predator didn’t make it evil.
The only thing that I really missed in this book is what is going on with Sierra and company. Its been four years but what exactly has happened in that time period. We didn’t get any aftermath from the destruction at the end of Fairy Keeper so I did miss that.
Overall a good book. I want to read the next one.
I received an e-ARC copy of Mer-Charmer from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It has been four years since Sierra rescued Phoebe from Bentwood and brought magic back to its true use. Phoebe is still terrified of all she endured in her captivity but the ocean, and her mer friends, bring her peace. She also really wants to fit into Sierra’s world and have magic so she can help her sister. When Phoebe finds a merfolk corpse that has been strangely killed she finds herself thrust into all the magic and adventure she could want.
I liked Mer-Charmer more then The Fairy Keeper. I feel like this book is more fleshed out and the writing is better. Sierra, while a strong willed tough character, can be a bit overbearing. Phoebe was an interesting character. She is shy but wants to help her friends and her sister. She worries about if she’s doing the right thing and when her magic comes out she is conflicted about if its influencing her friends.
I liked seeing Phoebe with Tristan and Mina. It was nice to see how close the three of them were and how they trusted each other. I did really like seeing their friendship and I felt that the romance came across as real and natural. I enjoyed how Tristan and Phoebe tried to hide their feelings for one another but not because of rejection but because they were shy. It was super cute. Mina was fun and a good secondary character.
The fact that the merfolk didn’t just accept Phoebe and what she could do was really accurate. I did feel that their attitudes made sense and I wouldn’t have liked the book so much if everything had just come easy to Phoebe. I liked the history of the merfolk and the city of Lyr. I wanted to know more about mer-tears and the mystery surrounding them.
I thought that the descriptions in the book worked really well and I was drawn really easily into the world. This underwater world has so much to explore and the visuals were easy to see. It was good to see the other creatures that made the ocean their home, the predators and peaceful ones alike. I also really appreciated that just because something was predator didn’t make it evil.
The only thing that I really missed in this book is what is going on with Sierra and company. Its been four years but what exactly has happened in that time period. We didn’t get any aftermath from the destruction at the end of Fairy Keeper so I did miss that.
Overall a good book. I want to read the next one.
urlphantomhive's review against another edition
3.0
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
Phoebe's sister is the Fairy Keeper from the first book in the series, and she's ever so slightly disappointed in the world for she doesn't have any magical powers of herself (I guess you already know what is going to happen at this point). Although her sister tells her to stay away from the coast, she must takes measures when she finds a mutilated mer-folk corpse one day.
Despite there being a lot of things that were rather predictable, which I will mention hereafter, I enjoyed it quite a lot. Phoebe for one not being ordinary for one. The huge suspicion of the mer-folk against Phoebe as another thing. What happens at the end is yet another thing.
However, I was quite drawn to the story, as the mer-folk were to Phoebe. I actually liked it better than The Fairy Keeper and also in this book I preferred Phoebe's scenes over those with Sierra.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Phoebe's sister is the Fairy Keeper from the first book in the series, and she's ever so slightly disappointed in the world for she doesn't have any magical powers of herself (I guess you already know what is going to happen at this point). Although her sister tells her to stay away from the coast, she must takes measures when she finds a mutilated mer-folk corpse one day.
Despite there being a lot of things that were rather predictable, which I will mention hereafter, I enjoyed it quite a lot. Phoebe for one not being ordinary for one. The huge suspicion of the mer-folk against Phoebe as another thing. What happens at the end is yet another thing.
However, I was quite drawn to the story, as the mer-folk were to Phoebe. I actually liked it better than The Fairy Keeper and also in this book I preferred Phoebe's scenes over those with Sierra.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
onecountrygal87's review
4.0
I liked the story, the way it intertwined into Fairy Keeper. There was more depth added to the characters from the 1st book. Just like the last portion of Fairy Keeper when they started the trickle of mermaids, they trickled in the dragons for the third book.
shh_reading85's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book from Curiosity Quills Press in exchange for an honest review.
In this novel, we’re reacquainted with the world of Aluvia and the now 14 year old Phoebe Quinn.
Phoebe is inexplicably drawn to her mer-friends Tristan and Mina. As much as they are drawn to her too. Often breaking rules to come see their human friend.
After many problems that have popped up with the mer-folk including finding a mer-folk skeleton that had alarming marks on it, a run in with a water wraith and mer-folk suffering from lack of food and other issues, Phoebe embarks on a journey to combat an ancient evil and restore the mer-folks of their livelihood and magic.
This was like a reverse Little Mermaid. More like, Little Human becomes a Mer-Maid and saves her handsome mer-lad crush from evil. No singing lobsters, though, I’m sorry! Haha.
I don’t know, but I wasn’t really feeling this book. I found the story to be a little slow. It definitely didn’t hold me like Fairy Keeper did.
Either way, it’s still a great coming of age novel suitable for middle-grade and young adults alike. It has a wonderful heroine in it, a little romance and a great battle over evil.
For more reviews like this and more, please visit me here.
In this novel, we’re reacquainted with the world of Aluvia and the now 14 year old Phoebe Quinn.
Phoebe is inexplicably drawn to her mer-friends Tristan and Mina. As much as they are drawn to her too. Often breaking rules to come see their human friend.
After many problems that have popped up with the mer-folk including finding a mer-folk skeleton that had alarming marks on it, a run in with a water wraith and mer-folk suffering from lack of food and other issues, Phoebe embarks on a journey to combat an ancient evil and restore the mer-folks of their livelihood and magic.
This was like a reverse Little Mermaid. More like, Little Human becomes a Mer-Maid and saves her handsome mer-lad crush from evil. No singing lobsters, though, I’m sorry! Haha.
I don’t know, but I wasn’t really feeling this book. I found the story to be a little slow. It definitely didn’t hold me like Fairy Keeper did.
Either way, it’s still a great coming of age novel suitable for middle-grade and young adults alike. It has a wonderful heroine in it, a little romance and a great battle over evil.
For more reviews like this and more, please visit me here.
caitlinejones's review against another edition
4.0
Another fun read from Amy Bearce! I really love the world of Aluvia, and this return was really magnificent! Phoebe acts as an engaging lead, bringing us closer to the merfolk and magic that reside in Aluvia's underwater lands. Crisp writing, fun pacing, and a great villain; definitely worth the read!
vandana's review against another edition
This book was a fun read as well! I went into it straight after Fairy Keeper. I feel like Amy Bearce know how to write character's really well, and it is interesting to see how she wrote from both Sierra and Phoebe's perspectives. All in all both books were enjoyable, and I would recommend them. Thanks LitCube for including these two books, because I don't know if I would have picked them up otherwise. I'm looking forward to the third book in this series now.
eternity21's review against another edition
4.0
This book is set in a made up world of Aluvia. Phoebe is 14 and bored staying at home while her sister the Fairy Keeper, Sierra, goes all over Aluvia. Phoebe has an affinity for the sea and especially her friends Mina and Tristan who are merfolk. Apparently not all is well under the sea and Phoebe has magic inside her that has not been released. There is a dangerous sea creature attacking the merfolk and it will take all of Phoebe will to help her friends.
The world building is very realistic you can picture the world of the merfolk very easily. I became engrossed in the story very quickly. This is a good read for a younger reader as there is no sex or intimations of it.
This book was given to me free from the publisher for an honest review.
The world building is very realistic you can picture the world of the merfolk very easily. I became engrossed in the story very quickly. This is a good read for a younger reader as there is no sex or intimations of it.
This book was given to me free from the publisher for an honest review.
ally_camel's review
4.0
When there isn't adventure afoot in the deep seas, the mystery and suspense of Mer-Charmer keep you hooked, with a little bit of romance on the side.
Phoebe knows her sister loves her, but Sierra's smothering makes it harder for Phoebe to move on from the terrible events of four years earlier, when their own father gave Phoebe away as a slave. The memories are coming back more and more often and being left alone where she's safe from new dangers isn't helping.
Then Phoebe finds out her closest friends (who happen to be mermaids) are being hunter by a magical monster and only she has the magic to fight back. Her love for her friends is all she needs to find her courage, something she needs throughout. Timid, fearful Phoebe has to fight with the mermaid elders to be heard, face water dragons and, maybe worse!, an octopus, stand up to her sister and much more. It strengthens her and she learns to face even her worst fear -- her memories.
Mer-Charmer is a great story for tweens and junior high kids!
It reminds me a little of R.J. Anderson's Fairy Rebels series.
Phoebe knows her sister loves her, but Sierra's smothering makes it harder for Phoebe to move on from the terrible events of four years earlier, when their own father gave Phoebe away as a slave. The memories are coming back more and more often and being left alone where she's safe from new dangers isn't helping.
Then Phoebe finds out her closest friends (who happen to be mermaids) are being hunter by a magical monster and only she has the magic to fight back. Her love for her friends is all she needs to find her courage, something she needs throughout. Timid, fearful Phoebe has to fight with the mermaid elders to be heard, face water dragons and, maybe worse!, an octopus, stand up to her sister and much more. It strengthens her and she learns to face even her worst fear -- her memories.
Mer-Charmer is a great story for tweens and junior high kids!
It reminds me a little of R.J. Anderson's Fairy Rebels series.