Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
3.5 stars
A lot of this book follows the conventional paranormal romance plotline. A new girl moves to town were she meets a mysterious guy. She realizes that there’s something Different about said guy. The girl figures out that the guy is Not Human. While this is going on, falling in love happens between them. It’s fairly insta. Then there’s some danger and action near the end.
What is different about this story is that it is told from the guy’s perspective. We know right away that Calder is a merman, and what his (initial) purpose is in getting to know Lily. We get to watch her work out what he is – I thought she was a little to insightful in figuring out that he is connected to past events that happened to her family. But it does take her some time to figure out What he is.
It’s also interesting to be in Calder’s head, because we get to know and LIKE him, while learning all about how he is a serial killer. Yes. These are not your typical mermaids. They are much more like the mythical sirens, leading people to their deaths in the water. Calder also has several sisters, who are quite ruthless, delighting in luring their victims with their beauty. Calder’s relationship with his vicious sisters added another layer to the book that I found interesting.
Lily is our heroine. She wants to be a poet and tries to dress the part with a Victorian inspired flair. She and her family have just moved to a small town on Lake Superior, because her mom is unwell. I liked Lily, especially that she is her own person and though mature in ways, also comes off as being a teen - often heroines are written older. Calder is supposed to get close to Lily so that he and his sisters can kill her father to avenge his mother’s death. OF COURSE things don’t work out exactly as planned because Calder starts to fall for Lily, and his sisters don't understand or like this at all.
I enjoyed this story, and as I mentioned, there are several things that make it different from the typical Paranormal Romance. But there isn’t anything that made me LOVE the book. I thought that the author tended to over explain some things, and then there were times that I had trouble reading Calder (what he was telling the audience wasn’t exactly what he was really thinking – I get that it was intentional, but I got some disconnect from the over explaining to the purposeful confusion). I also figured out some of the secrets before the characters did, which wore on me a bit.
However, I am looking forward to the next book, which is from Lily’s perspective. I like when authors use the companion novel approach to second stories, because it makes them feel fresher.
A lot of this book follows the conventional paranormal romance plotline. A new girl moves to town were she meets a mysterious guy. She realizes that there’s something Different about said guy. The girl figures out that the guy is Not Human. While this is going on, falling in love happens between them. It’s fairly insta. Then there’s some danger and action near the end.
What is different about this story is that it is told from the guy’s perspective. We know right away that Calder is a merman, and what his (initial) purpose is in getting to know Lily. We get to watch her work out what he is – I thought she was a little to insightful in figuring out that he is connected to past events that happened to her family. But it does take her some time to figure out What he is.
It’s also interesting to be in Calder’s head, because we get to know and LIKE him, while learning all about how he is a serial killer. Yes. These are not your typical mermaids. They are much more like the mythical sirens, leading people to their deaths in the water. Calder also has several sisters, who are quite ruthless, delighting in luring their victims with their beauty. Calder’s relationship with his vicious sisters added another layer to the book that I found interesting.
Lily is our heroine. She wants to be a poet and tries to dress the part with a Victorian inspired flair. She and her family have just moved to a small town on Lake Superior, because her mom is unwell. I liked Lily, especially that she is her own person and though mature in ways, also comes off as being a teen - often heroines are written older. Calder is supposed to get close to Lily so that he and his sisters can kill her father to avenge his mother’s death. OF COURSE things don’t work out exactly as planned because Calder starts to fall for Lily, and his sisters don't understand or like this at all.
I enjoyed this story, and as I mentioned, there are several things that make it different from the typical Paranormal Romance. But there isn’t anything that made me LOVE the book. I thought that the author tended to over explain some things, and then there were times that I had trouble reading Calder (what he was telling the audience wasn’t exactly what he was really thinking – I get that it was intentional, but I got some disconnect from the over explaining to the purposeful confusion). I also figured out some of the secrets before the characters did, which wore on me a bit.
However, I am looking forward to the next book, which is from Lily’s perspective. I like when authors use the companion novel approach to second stories, because it makes them feel fresher.
I had been after this book for review for a while and couldn't get it but then when I saw that it was on Netgalley I jumped at the chance and I'm very grateful that I was accepted as it was a different Mermaid tale in which I am used to reading.
I do like the cover although I'm not a huge fan. I love the fact that it is under water and what I originally thought was a mermaid but after reading the book I'm not so sure as she looks more like the human in the story than the mermaids. Great idea putting the title in the middle of the book in big letters as it makes the book stand out more.
Lies Beneath is Anne Greenwood Brown's first novel and I think it's a good start to her career. I love the way in which she has made it more original story of mermaids making them out to not the good guys which I think is a refreshing change. I loved the fact that she had short chapters as that is what I prefer when reading my books as then I can read more than what I normally would have.
It is a good story but it did take a long time to get to the answers which normally I don't mind as it adds to the mystery but in this case I was thinking hurry up all the way through. I just didn't believe in the story like I usually do but I will most likely continue with the series as like I said it was a good story and it was also the first in the series which doesn't always grab me into the series but then by the second I am hooked which I am hoping happens with this series. I did find it a little slow for my liking and nothing really big happens until right near the end but when something did happen I found it a bit glossed over.
I didn't really like Calder that much as he was a bit annoying and a bit of a stalker which I did understand as he wasn't exactly the good guy yet it was told from his point of view which I did find a bit strange I would have preferred it to be from Lily's point of view as she was a more interesting character. I did like Lily's sister as well but she wasn't in it that much which the same goes for most of the side characters. I didn't like Calder's sisters either but I don't think we are supposed to seeing as they are the mermaids that kill people and set out for revenge.
Overall a good start to the series but it was a bit too unbelievable.
I do like the cover although I'm not a huge fan. I love the fact that it is under water and what I originally thought was a mermaid but after reading the book I'm not so sure as she looks more like the human in the story than the mermaids. Great idea putting the title in the middle of the book in big letters as it makes the book stand out more.
Lies Beneath is Anne Greenwood Brown's first novel and I think it's a good start to her career. I love the way in which she has made it more original story of mermaids making them out to not the good guys which I think is a refreshing change. I loved the fact that she had short chapters as that is what I prefer when reading my books as then I can read more than what I normally would have.
It is a good story but it did take a long time to get to the answers which normally I don't mind as it adds to the mystery but in this case I was thinking hurry up all the way through. I just didn't believe in the story like I usually do but I will most likely continue with the series as like I said it was a good story and it was also the first in the series which doesn't always grab me into the series but then by the second I am hooked which I am hoping happens with this series. I did find it a little slow for my liking and nothing really big happens until right near the end but when something did happen I found it a bit glossed over.
I didn't really like Calder that much as he was a bit annoying and a bit of a stalker which I did understand as he wasn't exactly the good guy yet it was told from his point of view which I did find a bit strange I would have preferred it to be from Lily's point of view as she was a more interesting character. I did like Lily's sister as well but she wasn't in it that much which the same goes for most of the side characters. I didn't like Calder's sisters either but I don't think we are supposed to seeing as they are the mermaids that kill people and set out for revenge.
Overall a good start to the series but it was a bit too unbelievable.
AH-MAE-ZING! Started and finished this TODAY!
I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did! I actually had no idea what to expect. I met this author at a huge book signing last year and purchased the book 1) because I LOVE the cover and 2) because I was trying to be supportive of the authors at the event! Typically, I don't read the blurb for books, so I wasn't sure what this book was about, except that it had to do with mermaids. I was completely surprised by the POV, the story and most of all the fact that it took me very little time to read through it. I didn't want to put it down!
Blurb from Goodreads:
Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans and absorb their positive energy. Usually, they select their victims at random, but this time around, the underwater clan chooses its target for a reason: revenge. They want to kill Jason Hancock, the man they blame for their mother's death.
It's going to take a concerted effort to lure the aquaphobic Hancock onto the water. Calder's job is to gain Hancock's trust by getting close to his family. Relying on his irresistible good looks and charm, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter Lily. Easy enough, but Calder screws everything up by falling in love--just as Lily starts to suspect there's more to the monster-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined, and just as the mermaids threaten to take matters into their own hands, forcing Calder to choose between them and the girl he loves.
One thing's for sure: whatever Calder decides, the outcome won't be pretty.
First, as I said, I love this cover. It's just totally beautiful. I love the colors and the total simplicity of what it says. It really drew me into wanting to read it.
Next, a YA book from the male POV? I was totally surprised by this. I have not read many YA books from the male POV at all. So I wasn't sure what to expect from this, to be honest, but I really loved it. And the author handled it very well. Calder is this handsome, hard to resist 18 year old guy who easily draws people in. The fact that he's a mermaid helps, of course. He's smooth and sexy, tan, with perfect hair and the greatest green eyes. But he's different from his family, always has been. He doesn't want to be this monster of prey that mer-people are known to be. But it's in his nature and he finds it really hard to resist. I really fell for him, despite being undecided as to whether or not he's a good guy. He's so torn, I like it. Teen angst from a boy!
Lily is an awesome heroine. She's very strong, and strong minded. She doesn't come off as the innocent, easily swayed type, which I really like. She's smart and sassy and doesn't whine in any way. Of course we see her through Calder's eyes and I think he's as surprised by her as she is by him. And it's nice that there is no "insta-love" between her and Calder, we watch it grow and blossom throughout the story.
Calder's sisters were a force to be reckoned with. Like Calder they are beautiful and easily get what they want. But make no mistake, they area deadly. Mermaids are not at all the "Little Mermaid" from the Disney movies, Think more Pirate's of the Caribbean, scary stuff!
This book was much darker than what I expected. I guess not having read any mermaid stories, my mind was not sure what to expect. But I wasn't expecting all the talk of death and stealing people's emotions. I guess my mind was stuck on the Disney aspect of mermaids. But they are predatory and calculating. And they will manipulate anyone and anything that they need to to get their way. It blew me away. I found it hard to put this one down. The plot line was well laid out and the character development was spot on. The author easily overlapped the world of the mermaids with those of the humans. It was flawlessly perfected.
Brown has written a book that is filled with bite. Brown wastes no time in showing the true nature of mer-people and running with it to create a story that is original and keeps you captivated from beginning to end. And the twists were unexpected. Fans of paranormal romance and mermaids will truly be engrossed in this story. Well done!
5/5 stars from me.
I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did! I actually had no idea what to expect. I met this author at a huge book signing last year and purchased the book 1) because I LOVE the cover and 2) because I was trying to be supportive of the authors at the event! Typically, I don't read the blurb for books, so I wasn't sure what this book was about, except that it had to do with mermaids. I was completely surprised by the POV, the story and most of all the fact that it took me very little time to read through it. I didn't want to put it down!
Blurb from Goodreads:
Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans and absorb their positive energy. Usually, they select their victims at random, but this time around, the underwater clan chooses its target for a reason: revenge. They want to kill Jason Hancock, the man they blame for their mother's death.
It's going to take a concerted effort to lure the aquaphobic Hancock onto the water. Calder's job is to gain Hancock's trust by getting close to his family. Relying on his irresistible good looks and charm, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter Lily. Easy enough, but Calder screws everything up by falling in love--just as Lily starts to suspect there's more to the monster-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined, and just as the mermaids threaten to take matters into their own hands, forcing Calder to choose between them and the girl he loves.
One thing's for sure: whatever Calder decides, the outcome won't be pretty.
First, as I said, I love this cover. It's just totally beautiful. I love the colors and the total simplicity of what it says. It really drew me into wanting to read it.
Next, a YA book from the male POV? I was totally surprised by this. I have not read many YA books from the male POV at all. So I wasn't sure what to expect from this, to be honest, but I really loved it. And the author handled it very well. Calder is this handsome, hard to resist 18 year old guy who easily draws people in. The fact that he's a mermaid helps, of course. He's smooth and sexy, tan, with perfect hair and the greatest green eyes. But he's different from his family, always has been. He doesn't want to be this monster of prey that mer-people are known to be. But it's in his nature and he finds it really hard to resist. I really fell for him, despite being undecided as to whether or not he's a good guy. He's so torn, I like it. Teen angst from a boy!
Lily is an awesome heroine. She's very strong, and strong minded. She doesn't come off as the innocent, easily swayed type, which I really like. She's smart and sassy and doesn't whine in any way. Of course we see her through Calder's eyes and I think he's as surprised by her as she is by him. And it's nice that there is no "insta-love" between her and Calder, we watch it grow and blossom throughout the story.
Calder's sisters were a force to be reckoned with. Like Calder they are beautiful and easily get what they want. But make no mistake, they area deadly. Mermaids are not at all the "Little Mermaid" from the Disney movies, Think more Pirate's of the Caribbean, scary stuff!
This book was much darker than what I expected. I guess not having read any mermaid stories, my mind was not sure what to expect. But I wasn't expecting all the talk of death and stealing people's emotions. I guess my mind was stuck on the Disney aspect of mermaids. But they are predatory and calculating. And they will manipulate anyone and anything that they need to to get their way. It blew me away. I found it hard to put this one down. The plot line was well laid out and the character development was spot on. The author easily overlapped the world of the mermaids with those of the humans. It was flawlessly perfected.
Brown has written a book that is filled with bite. Brown wastes no time in showing the true nature of mer-people and running with it to create a story that is original and keeps you captivated from beginning to end. And the twists were unexpected. Fans of paranormal romance and mermaids will truly be engrossed in this story. Well done!
5/5 stars from me.
2.5 stars.
“Would you please get it into your head that this is not a movie. Forget everything you think you know about merpeople. Forget that freaking Ariel, think Silence of the Lambs, think Friday the Thirteenth.
Initial Final Page Thoughts.
Considering I thought I would absolutely hate this, I’m pleasantly surprised.
High Points.
Boy narrator! Evil mermaids. Lake Superior. Curses. Flirtatious fishes. The Bahamas. BBQs. Hammocks. A lady love interest who wasn’t completely ridiculous. A chance to have every single Little Mermaid song embedded in your soul for the entire you time you read this book. Poetry readings.
Low Point.
OK, I actually only have one low point and I know it’s going sound stupid before I even say it… or, um, you know… write it.
But I’m going to do it anyway, my main problem was mermaids.
“But, um, Jo… the synopsis has-”
“I know!”
“And the-”
“I know, I know.”
“Jo, the main character has a tail.”
I knew this and I truly wanted to believe.
I was the kid who watched The Little Mermaid approximately a million times and I was the kid who used to pretend the back of my chair was a rock and I’d pretend to be a mermaid. I even joined the queue of camera-snappy tourists and stood awkwardly next to the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen.
The main problem I had with this book was that I wanted more of a back story with these merpeople.
I guess I just wanted to know more. What I did know (and could get my head around) I liked. But I think if you’re trying to sell mermaids to me, you need to make your case flawless.
I wanted to know about others and how you become one and the history of them and do they just live in Lake Superior and the Bahamas or are there merpeople swimming in the Thames? And the Menai Straits?
ARE THERE MERMAIDS IN SALFORD QUAYS?!
*cough*
Also, the ending made me feel a bit “Ick, really?” and even though there was an explanation, it still troubled me.
All that being said, I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. I truly believe that people will love this book and they should because it’s so different than anything out there.
I’m just still bitter that I didn’t grow up to be a mermaid.
I’m a Piscean for goodness’ sake, it’s practically my right.
Hero.
Oh Calder, mate, we need to talk.
I know you’re a merhunk and you’re from under the sea and I understand that the rules for courting a lady are probably a bit different down where it’s wetter.
And I know you want to protect your lady and see that she gets home OK, but watching her from the bushes? Watching her from the lake with just your eyes above the surface? HER WARDROBE?!
I know this whole merpeople thing is new to me but do merladies really like being peeped at from behind some coral or, like, a shark or something? Is watching from the shadowy bowels of a ship-wreck the height of romance?
Call me old fashioned but I like it when a boy just texts me to see if I’m alright.
Also, reading poetry to a girl so you can get into her kecks? Yeerugh.
How do mermaids even learn to read?! Are there mer-schools?! Mer-universities?!
Love Interest.
Eh. OK, Lily was alright.
While I was reading it I was thinking that she didn’t have much of a personality but actually she did. She wasn’t insipid like some heroines were and she wasn’t completely useless. She was a bit too accepting at the fact that her boyfriend is fish from the waist down and that his trousers smell of kelp, though.
But whatever, he sounds hot. He’s a swimmer and he’s built and he has curly hair. Boom. Forgiven.
I mean, this girl goes swimming in lakes in April (I think that’s when it was set but still, I imagine it’d be a bit nippy no matter what the month!). So she must be pretty hardcore.
She also dresses like a Victorian poet because she likes Victorian poets (long black courdroy skirts and high-neck ruffle blouses... :-| )
Um, Lily my dear, I love superheroes but you don’t see me running around wearing a... um, actually never mind.
*adjusts cat mask and slinks off into the night*
Sisters.
Oh man, now these are the girls I wanted to spend more time with.
Well… um, from a distance.
Because they’d eat me, actually eat me.
But wow, they were cool.
Sorry Calder, but you’re such a wuss in comparison.
I would like a series written about these ladies.
Theme Tunes.
Electric Feel by MGMT.
With the voltage running through her skin
Standing there with nothing on
She gonna teach me how to swim.
Mmmmhmmm, that’s what the kids are calling it now, eh Calder?
Also, mermaids are apparently electric.
Not entirely sure why but HEY, it fits in with my song choice so I’m willing to accept it.
And another one.
Yes, you get two because I’m feeling generous.
Part of Your World by Darren Criss.
Could it be anything else?
No.
Why?
Because it’s Darren Criss singing Disney songs.
Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted an excuse to use one of them as theme tune?! DO YOU!?
Also, Calder has curly dark hair and he recites Tennyson to his lady loves so I imagine a singer songwriter isn’t too far off.
Dear Darren Criss,
Please grow your hair like this again,
Yours,
Jo
xx
Sadness Scale
10/10.
Wow, I know that is high but don’t worry this book isn’t actually that sad. Sure there are a few moments which are pretty sad but they’re kind of glossed over. I’m not sure whether this was intentional because meremotions are a no-no, but that’s fine with me.
I’ve come to the conclusion that mermaids don’t get sad… they get eeeeeevil.
Which is good, you know, because eeeeevil is always better than angsty.
But the rating is for me.
I thought I understood what it takes to be a mermaid but I had so many puzzling questions after I finished this book that I came to realise I could never be one.
And that made me sad because now I have to seriously reconsider my life plan.
Recommended For.
People who are looking for a book about mermaids that is kinda plausible. People who like to read Tennyson while they’re wearing ruffles. People who make sure they go diving with a hot merman just in case their oxygen runs out. People who understand that not all mermaids have talking sea creatures as their friend. People who can get on hammocks without making a twonk of yourself and flashing the neighbours.
An advanced copy of this book was provided by the publishers via Netgalley.
“Would you please get it into your head that this is not a movie. Forget everything you think you know about merpeople. Forget that freaking Ariel, think Silence of the Lambs, think Friday the Thirteenth.
Initial Final Page Thoughts.
Considering I thought I would absolutely hate this, I’m pleasantly surprised.
High Points.
Boy narrator! Evil mermaids. Lake Superior. Curses. Flirtatious fishes. The Bahamas. BBQs. Hammocks. A lady love interest who wasn’t completely ridiculous. A chance to have every single Little Mermaid song embedded in your soul for the entire you time you read this book. Poetry readings.
Low Point.
OK, I actually only have one low point and I know it’s going sound stupid before I even say it… or, um, you know… write it.
But I’m going to do it anyway, my main problem was mermaids.
“But, um, Jo… the synopsis has-”
“I know!”
“And the-”
“I know, I know.”
“Jo, the main character has a tail.”
I knew this and I truly wanted to believe.
I was the kid who watched The Little Mermaid approximately a million times and I was the kid who used to pretend the back of my chair was a rock and I’d pretend to be a mermaid. I even joined the queue of camera-snappy tourists and stood awkwardly next to the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen.
The main problem I had with this book was that I wanted more of a back story with these merpeople.
I guess I just wanted to know more. What I did know (and could get my head around) I liked. But I think if you’re trying to sell mermaids to me, you need to make your case flawless.
I wanted to know about others and how you become one and the history of them and do they just live in Lake Superior and the Bahamas or are there merpeople swimming in the Thames? And the Menai Straits?
ARE THERE MERMAIDS IN SALFORD QUAYS?!
*cough*
Also, the ending made me feel a bit “Ick, really?” and even though there was an explanation, it still troubled me.
All that being said, I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. I truly believe that people will love this book and they should because it’s so different than anything out there.
I’m just still bitter that I didn’t grow up to be a mermaid.
I’m a Piscean for goodness’ sake, it’s practically my right.
Hero.
Oh Calder, mate, we need to talk.
I know you’re a merhunk and you’re from under the sea and I understand that the rules for courting a lady are probably a bit different down where it’s wetter.
And I know you want to protect your lady and see that she gets home OK, but watching her from the bushes? Watching her from the lake with just your eyes above the surface? HER WARDROBE?!
I know this whole merpeople thing is new to me but do merladies really like being peeped at from behind some coral or, like, a shark or something? Is watching from the shadowy bowels of a ship-wreck the height of romance?
Call me old fashioned but I like it when a boy just texts me to see if I’m alright.
Also, reading poetry to a girl so you can get into her kecks? Yeerugh.
How do mermaids even learn to read?! Are there mer-schools?! Mer-universities?!
Love Interest.
Eh. OK, Lily was alright.
While I was reading it I was thinking that she didn’t have much of a personality but actually she did. She wasn’t insipid like some heroines were and she wasn’t completely useless. She was a bit too accepting at the fact that her boyfriend is fish from the waist down and that his trousers smell of kelp, though.
But whatever, he sounds hot. He’s a swimmer and he’s built and he has curly hair. Boom. Forgiven.
I mean, this girl goes swimming in lakes in April (I think that’s when it was set but still, I imagine it’d be a bit nippy no matter what the month!). So she must be pretty hardcore.
She also dresses like a Victorian poet because she likes Victorian poets (long black courdroy skirts and high-neck ruffle blouses... :-| )
Um, Lily my dear, I love superheroes but you don’t see me running around wearing a... um, actually never mind.
*adjusts cat mask and slinks off into the night*
Sisters.
Oh man, now these are the girls I wanted to spend more time with.
Well… um, from a distance.
Because they’d eat me, actually eat me.
But wow, they were cool.
Sorry Calder, but you’re such a wuss in comparison.
I would like a series written about these ladies.
Theme Tunes.
Electric Feel by MGMT.
With the voltage running through her skin
Standing there with nothing on
She gonna teach me how to swim.
Mmmmhmmm, that’s what the kids are calling it now, eh Calder?
Also, mermaids are apparently electric.
Not entirely sure why but HEY, it fits in with my song choice so I’m willing to accept it.
And another one.
Yes, you get two because I’m feeling generous.
Part of Your World by Darren Criss.
Could it be anything else?
No.
Why?
Because it’s Darren Criss singing Disney songs.
Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted an excuse to use one of them as theme tune?! DO YOU!?
Also, Calder has curly dark hair and he recites Tennyson to his lady loves so I imagine a singer songwriter isn’t too far off.
Dear Darren Criss,
Please grow your hair like this again,
Yours,
Jo
xx
Sadness Scale
10/10.
Wow, I know that is high but don’t worry this book isn’t actually that sad. Sure there are a few moments which are pretty sad but they’re kind of glossed over. I’m not sure whether this was intentional because meremotions are a no-no, but that’s fine with me.
I’ve come to the conclusion that mermaids don’t get sad… they get eeeeeevil.
Which is good, you know, because eeeeevil is always better than angsty.
But the rating is for me.
I thought I understood what it takes to be a mermaid but I had so many puzzling questions after I finished this book that I came to realise I could never be one.
And that made me sad because now I have to seriously reconsider my life plan.
Recommended For.
People who are looking for a book about mermaids that is kinda plausible. People who like to read Tennyson while they’re wearing ruffles. People who make sure they go diving with a hot merman just in case their oxygen runs out. People who understand that not all mermaids have talking sea creatures as their friend. People who can get on hammocks without making a twonk of yourself and flashing the neighbours.
An advanced copy of this book was provided by the publishers via Netgalley.
This book captivated me just as much as the first time, can't wait to reread Deep Betrayal and read Promise Bound!!!
*First read January 15th 2012*
What a great, amazing book! And the cover is great! Loved, loved this book! Look for full review either on January 21, or 2 weeks before the release date. Need to work that out...But this was just a great book!!!!
*First read January 15th 2012*
What a great, amazing book! And the cover is great! Loved, loved this book! Look for full review either on January 21, or 2 weeks before the release date. Need to work that out...But this was just a great book!!!!
This was a novel that I very much enjoyed. I've never been really into mermaid books, but Lies Beneath is definitely an exception.
I liked the spin that the author put on the mermaid tale. Instead of light and playful, you get dark, mysterious, and murderous mermaids.
Calder's character was very well written. He's a good guy, but at the same time has a very dark side.
The author most definitely brought Lake Superior to life for me. The details and descriptions were so vivid.
I look forward to reading Deep Betrayal when it is released.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from a giveaway at brindaberry.com . This in no way influenced my opinions about this book.
I liked the spin that the author put on the mermaid tale. Instead of light and playful, you get dark, mysterious, and murderous mermaids.
Calder's character was very well written. He's a good guy, but at the same time has a very dark side.
The author most definitely brought Lake Superior to life for me. The details and descriptions were so vivid.
I look forward to reading Deep Betrayal when it is released.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from a giveaway at brindaberry.com . This in no way influenced my opinions about this book.
Wow, is all I can think of when I finished this book. I have always loved mermaids and never really read much about them. Like most girls I feel in love with Disney's Ariel. (whom this book sometimes refer to)But like most fantasy creatures, they are never nice like the way Disney makes them.
I liked that this story made them the monsters they truly are from legends and not the Disney/Andersen's version. Calder seems to always be telling Lily they are not from the Disney world. In truth, he doesn't say that all the time and doesn't say that in that many words, but that is the idea he tries to put that into her head. He does mentions Ariel and Disney and someone else briefly mentioned Micheal Phillips. Okay, so in this book random pop culture is mentioned and at times I cringed but after sometime has past I thought it was a good dater for future readers who will think,"Who is Phillips?" I feel like I will have a one-up on that gen! ~_^ I doubt that Disney will ever be forgotten.
I love that this was from Calder's POV and not Lily's. I feel like I read way to many books that is always from the girl's point but never they guy's. Also, I think she really hit the 18yr male ego. I MANY male cousins then I do female and Calder reminded me of most of them! From the way he talked to the way he acted. I think that was the best I have read about a guy in a long time. I am not a guy, nor do I clam to think like one either so I will never know what goes through ones mind. But I would think that they think much like Calder.
And oh, I ALWAYS love books that take place somewhere close to were I live, and Lake Superior? I have spent a good half of my life going to the UP and the Lake is one place we always see. I Hate the cold and swimming in Northern Michigan's Lake Huron is cold enough for me! I have felt Superior's water, I will not be swimming up there! Canoeing, sure! Swimming, heck no! So it was nice to read about the UP.
Can't wait for the next installment!
I liked that this story made them the monsters they truly are from legends and not the Disney/Andersen's version. Calder seems to always be telling Lily they are not from the Disney world. In truth, he doesn't say that all the time and doesn't say that in that many words, but that is the idea he tries to put that into her head. He does mentions Ariel and Disney and someone else briefly mentioned Micheal Phillips. Okay, so in this book random pop culture is mentioned and at times I cringed but after sometime has past I thought it was a good dater for future readers who will think,"Who is Phillips?" I feel like I will have a one-up on that gen! ~_^ I doubt that Disney will ever be forgotten.
I love that this was from Calder's POV and not Lily's. I feel like I read way to many books that is always from the girl's point but never they guy's. Also, I think she really hit the 18yr male ego. I MANY male cousins then I do female and Calder reminded me of most of them! From the way he talked to the way he acted. I think that was the best I have read about a guy in a long time. I am not a guy, nor do I clam to think like one either so I will never know what goes through ones mind. But I would think that they think much like Calder.
And oh, I ALWAYS love books that take place somewhere close to were I live, and Lake Superior? I have spent a good half of my life going to the UP and the Lake is one place we always see. I Hate the cold and swimming in Northern Michigan's Lake Huron is cold enough for me! I have felt Superior's water, I will not be swimming up there! Canoeing, sure! Swimming, heck no! So it was nice to read about the UP.
Can't wait for the next installment!
--So good, when I was towards the end on my way home from work, I missed my stop. Que 30 min correction.
--Liked how it's POV is different, not just with a guy narrating but the monster as well.
--Lily doesn't come off all that well tho, more like a try hard full of desperation to be unique and special. But that describes a lot of people, teens and adults alike. She's also got the naive sheltered outlook of a child. Okay so spot on but no less annoying.
--Very tense and suspenseful. The reveals went off without a hitch.
--I'm curious about the next book but I wonder how Lilly's narration is going to work out since she came off...dull.
--Instalove. Meh. I didn't really get the attraction. Lilly's hot and cold and I can see being wary of him. Is it being forbidden bad boy? Yeah, don't get it. Dude is clearly losing it and sexually attracted to her but he had to fake things in common. but the suspense and Dude losing grip on his monstrosity and gaining humanity kept me going.
--Loved how mermaids were dark and unDisneyfied. I love the creatures but with them stagnating in Kiddy Cartoonland, I've outgrown them with rare exceptions like this one.
4 stars
Recommended for fans of urban fantasy romance and mermaids.
--Liked how it's POV is different, not just with a guy narrating but the monster as well.
--Lily doesn't come off all that well tho, more like a try hard full of desperation to be unique and special. But that describes a lot of people, teens and adults alike. She's also got the naive sheltered outlook of a child. Okay so spot on but no less annoying.
--Very tense and suspenseful. The reveals went off without a hitch.
--I'm curious about the next book but I wonder how Lilly's narration is going to work out since she came off...dull.
--Instalove. Meh. I didn't really get the attraction. Lilly's hot and cold and I can see being wary of him. Is it being forbidden bad boy? Yeah, don't get it. Dude is clearly losing it and sexually attracted to her but he had to fake things in common. but the suspense and Dude losing grip on his monstrosity and gaining humanity kept me going.
--Loved how mermaids were dark and unDisneyfied. I love the creatures but with them stagnating in Kiddy Cartoonland, I've outgrown them with rare exceptions like this one.
4 stars
Recommended for fans of urban fantasy romance and mermaids.
The writing style was really pretty. The plot was a bit predicable, but the end was unique. I think it's a perfect length and doesn't need a sequel. I mean, does EVERY book need a sequel? Not this one. Overall, it was a fun summer read.
Initial reaction: I think my summation for "Lies Beneath" is that there's a lot of surface tension - in the character development, in the ominous situations, among other things, but as I waited for the story to pull me under and immerse me - that point never came.
I didn't hate the story at all - there were parts of it that I liked, but in the end - it was a mediocre read for me at best. I hope I can explain my thoughts more in the full review.
Full review:
I've had a devil of a time trying to expound on my thoughts with respect to Anne Greenwood Brown's "Lies Beneath". I wanted to write a review far before this point, but the words always seemed to slip my mind in terms of why it didn't work for me, or why I think it wouldn't work beyond a certain audience with some considerations in mind. The book itself has an awesome premise, one that might draw many paranormal romance fans as well as those who might be looking for a thrilling story. However, given the structuring of the story and a LOT of inconsistencies/inaccuracies in this book about the area it takes place within, it's difficult to overlook them and still think well of the overarching story.
I think my summation for "Lies Beneath" is that there's a lot of surface tension - in the character development, in the ominous situations, among other things, but as I waited for the story to pull me under and immerse me - that point never came. I think some of the strong selling points of Anne Greenwood Brown's debut novel is that it fits snug with the rising trend of YA paranormal romance, offering an interesting take on mermaid mythos. It tells a story of vengeance among a group of mermaids who feed on human emotions, thereby killing them, in order to sustain themselves.
The problem is that it doesn't do enough to set itself apart from being a predictable, formulaic foray, despite what I thought was a brilliant premise.
Calder White and his sisters stalk the waters of Lake Superior to find Jason Hancock, the descendant of the man responsible for their mother's death. Calder sets forth a plan to integrate himself into the Hancock family and go in for the kill, but ends up falling in love with Jason's daughter, Lily. Calder has to make the decision between carrying out his plans for betrayal (and steeling against his sisters' collective ire) against listening to the senses that tell him how wrong he is.
I didn't hate "Lies Beneath" as an overall story, but there were several things that bothered me enough to affect my enjoyment of the book severely, enough to the point where I couldn't overlook its mediocrity. One of them was Calder as a collective character. His voice had a static tone that was hard to connect to in spurts. Even with being unlikable (intentionally at first), there wasn't much substance to him. I expected him to have a lot more range of emotions for going after the family responsible for his mother's death. It was told (more touched upon) rather than shown, and it was hard to find a connection as to his investment of carrying out this particular task. There was far more conviction shown in the pain of Calder's transformation from merman to human than in the plan for revenge, which bothered me.
Calder was also a stalkerish, possessive creep for much of the time we observe him. There wasn't really much "love" in his thought process with Lily, even from the very beginning when he's hiding in her bedroom closet or in the bushes - it was more of a one-sided "I have to have her" vibe and I didn't like it at all. He was put off that she didn't instantly fall in love with him, and he was put off whenever she was with another guy.
At least Lily had enough sense to call him out on it. Lily isn't a pushover character. I really liked her personality wise, not so much for the romance because the romance overall was weak and underdeveloped, but Lily - as a collective character - was cool. She might've been the strongest character in this book when compared to Calder, his sisters, or even her collective family, but even then - the expansion of her character felt underwhelming when compared to the larger story.
At a certain point, Calder truly starts to care for Lily (I wish this had been shown much better than what it was), and by that point, the sisters catch on and it ends up being a lot of trouble for our hero (meh) and heroine.
The pacing really slowed this book down for me on a collective level. For all the intrigue of the premise, it felt sluggish for a story where a lot of manipulation is at play and for the genre it was. Sure, I like slice of life elements and hearing about character passions, but when it slows the momentum of the story, it can be difficult to pick up again. There were times when - and I'm a huge poetry buff - I really didn't want to hear about how Calder tries to talk to Lily about poetry and the tangents that were taken with that. It made me feel like I was back in Julie Cross's "Tempest" and how the main character (who's also male) starts citing Dickens in the middle of a make-out scene. Ugh. It makes for some awkward transitions, and doesn't always reflect well on the character.
There were other elements that took me out of the tale as well - for example, the setting. I've never been to Lake Superior, but I know enough about it to know that the setting in this book misrepresents several elements about the environment and the people who may swim there. Real places do need to be vetted out in a work, even in fiction, because that can have an impact on how the story comes across.
In the end, I'm a little torn as to whether I'll follow the series from here, but I think "Lies Beneath" could've amounted to more than what it was for its respective elements. I'm sure there are people who will like it, but I think there are better mermaid stories out there - with better characters, intrigue, and unique qualities.
Overall score: 2/5
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Random House/Delcorte Books for Young Readers.
I didn't hate the story at all - there were parts of it that I liked, but in the end - it was a mediocre read for me at best. I hope I can explain my thoughts more in the full review.
Full review:
I've had a devil of a time trying to expound on my thoughts with respect to Anne Greenwood Brown's "Lies Beneath". I wanted to write a review far before this point, but the words always seemed to slip my mind in terms of why it didn't work for me, or why I think it wouldn't work beyond a certain audience with some considerations in mind. The book itself has an awesome premise, one that might draw many paranormal romance fans as well as those who might be looking for a thrilling story. However, given the structuring of the story and a LOT of inconsistencies/inaccuracies in this book about the area it takes place within, it's difficult to overlook them and still think well of the overarching story.
I think my summation for "Lies Beneath" is that there's a lot of surface tension - in the character development, in the ominous situations, among other things, but as I waited for the story to pull me under and immerse me - that point never came. I think some of the strong selling points of Anne Greenwood Brown's debut novel is that it fits snug with the rising trend of YA paranormal romance, offering an interesting take on mermaid mythos. It tells a story of vengeance among a group of mermaids who feed on human emotions, thereby killing them, in order to sustain themselves.
The problem is that it doesn't do enough to set itself apart from being a predictable, formulaic foray, despite what I thought was a brilliant premise.
Calder White and his sisters stalk the waters of Lake Superior to find Jason Hancock, the descendant of the man responsible for their mother's death. Calder sets forth a plan to integrate himself into the Hancock family and go in for the kill, but ends up falling in love with Jason's daughter, Lily. Calder has to make the decision between carrying out his plans for betrayal (and steeling against his sisters' collective ire) against listening to the senses that tell him how wrong he is.
I didn't hate "Lies Beneath" as an overall story, but there were several things that bothered me enough to affect my enjoyment of the book severely, enough to the point where I couldn't overlook its mediocrity. One of them was Calder as a collective character. His voice had a static tone that was hard to connect to in spurts. Even with being unlikable (intentionally at first), there wasn't much substance to him. I expected him to have a lot more range of emotions for going after the family responsible for his mother's death. It was told (more touched upon) rather than shown, and it was hard to find a connection as to his investment of carrying out this particular task. There was far more conviction shown in the pain of Calder's transformation from merman to human than in the plan for revenge, which bothered me.
Calder was also a stalkerish, possessive creep for much of the time we observe him. There wasn't really much "love" in his thought process with Lily, even from the very beginning when he's hiding in her bedroom closet or in the bushes - it was more of a one-sided "I have to have her" vibe and I didn't like it at all. He was put off that she didn't instantly fall in love with him, and he was put off whenever she was with another guy.
At least Lily had enough sense to call him out on it. Lily isn't a pushover character. I really liked her personality wise, not so much for the romance because the romance overall was weak and underdeveloped, but Lily - as a collective character - was cool. She might've been the strongest character in this book when compared to Calder, his sisters, or even her collective family, but even then - the expansion of her character felt underwhelming when compared to the larger story.
At a certain point, Calder truly starts to care for Lily (I wish this had been shown much better than what it was), and by that point, the sisters catch on and it ends up being a lot of trouble for our hero (meh) and heroine.
The pacing really slowed this book down for me on a collective level. For all the intrigue of the premise, it felt sluggish for a story where a lot of manipulation is at play and for the genre it was. Sure, I like slice of life elements and hearing about character passions, but when it slows the momentum of the story, it can be difficult to pick up again. There were times when - and I'm a huge poetry buff - I really didn't want to hear about how Calder tries to talk to Lily about poetry and the tangents that were taken with that. It made me feel like I was back in Julie Cross's "Tempest" and how the main character (who's also male) starts citing Dickens in the middle of a make-out scene. Ugh. It makes for some awkward transitions, and doesn't always reflect well on the character.
There were other elements that took me out of the tale as well - for example, the setting. I've never been to Lake Superior, but I know enough about it to know that the setting in this book misrepresents several elements about the environment and the people who may swim there. Real places do need to be vetted out in a work, even in fiction, because that can have an impact on how the story comes across.
In the end, I'm a little torn as to whether I'll follow the series from here, but I think "Lies Beneath" could've amounted to more than what it was for its respective elements. I'm sure there are people who will like it, but I think there are better mermaid stories out there - with better characters, intrigue, and unique qualities.
Overall score: 2/5
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Random House/Delcorte Books for Young Readers.