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jljaina's review against another edition
5.0
This started off really good. I loved how the mermaids are described with their hallmarks, changing colors and hair hierarchy. They have some nice traditions too. The selkies and sirens were quite different than I would have expected. Unique and refreshing. Even if they are blood obsessed! Yara is indeed a stubborn young woman (as often referred to) who is thrust into a strange unknown world that she has forgotten time and again. I felt really bad for all her stolen memories and the lies she is and has been fed. It made it easier to relate and sympathize with her. The ending seemed too perfect and what her future holds too vague which was frustrating. I hope book 2 will explain better.
destiel74's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It was nice little fantasy story with some unique twist in mythology.
amberinpieces's review
4.0
Tangled Tides begins with a hurricane. Yara is boarding up her island home when a strange but attractive guy shows up wearing only shorts and asks her to trust him to take her somewhere safe during the storm. The guy, Treygan, knows who Yara is and as unlikely as it seems, Yara finds him vaguely familiar. Mesmerized, she goes with him…to the sea.
When she awakens underwater with fins and a tail, she is beyond freaked out and disbelieving of what is right in front of her. Not only has she been turned into a mermaid against her will, something that should be impossible, but she also learns that creatures like selkies, sirens, and gorgons exist…and they need Yara to unlock the gate to their realm.
At only a few pages into the novel, my first reaction was surprise that Yara would willingly go with a stranger despite his hotness, but I figured I was reading too much into it and chalked it up to fantastical powers.
In the beginning, my interest was piqued but I was slightly baffled. Mermaids and selkies? Sure. But sirens (Karen Hooper’s sirens were different than any I have read before but may be closer to mythological sirens than I thought) and gorgons? What was going on? But as Hooper simultaneously set the stage, provided background a little at a time, and moved the plot along, things became clearer and I was immersed in the world she created. I loved how Hooper mixed mythology with her own - it was really creature. The alternating view points between three of the characters - Yara, Treygan, and Rownan - really added to the story and kept the action moving.
Read the full review here.
When she awakens underwater with fins and a tail, she is beyond freaked out and disbelieving of what is right in front of her. Not only has she been turned into a mermaid against her will, something that should be impossible, but she also learns that creatures like selkies, sirens, and gorgons exist…and they need Yara to unlock the gate to their realm.
At only a few pages into the novel, my first reaction was surprise that Yara would willingly go with a stranger despite his hotness, but I figured I was reading too much into it and chalked it up to fantastical powers.
In the beginning, my interest was piqued but I was slightly baffled. Mermaids and selkies? Sure. But sirens (Karen Hooper’s sirens were different than any I have read before but may be closer to mythological sirens than I thought) and gorgons? What was going on? But as Hooper simultaneously set the stage, provided background a little at a time, and moved the plot along, things became clearer and I was immersed in the world she created. I loved how Hooper mixed mythology with her own - it was really creature. The alternating view points between three of the characters - Yara, Treygan, and Rownan - really added to the story and kept the action moving.
Read the full review here.
lollypopzoo's review
5.0
I couldn't put this book down! The characters are dynamic, the heroine strong, and the plot line engaging. My favorite aspect of the book is the inclusion of conflict between multiple groups without painting any as evil. Fans of Tamora Pierce will enjoy Tangled Tides.
lifeandliterature's review
5.0
I have read a few books containing mermaids before, but few have managed to capture the underwater imagery like Karen Amanda Hooper has in Tangled tides!!
This book is told in 3 differing voices: Yara - The feisty human turned mermaid. Rownan - Yara's 'boyfriend' and selkie and Treygan- Yara's guardian and soulmate..... Personally, I love to read stories from a male's point of view. So reading 2 males perspectives.... well, I was seriously happy!! The 3 voices flow smoothly throughout the book and its so cool to get inside the different characters heads and know what each of them are thinking!!
The plot was paced so that you were always kept involved and invested in the story. There are mermaids and selkies and gorgons and sirens and you get to learn the stories of each of them. And there were enough twists and turns to have you anticipating what would happen next!
The characters were all likeable and as much as I loved Yara and Treygan it was Pango who had me laughing out loud at his witty and amusing comments!! I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Yara and Treygan. Definitely not love at first sight. There were times throughout the book were I found myself questioning whether I really liked Rownan or not, but by the end of the book he had won me over.
So, if you love fantasy, romance and adventure then Tangled Tides is the book for you!!
This book is told in 3 differing voices: Yara - The feisty human turned mermaid. Rownan - Yara's 'boyfriend' and selkie and Treygan- Yara's guardian and soulmate..... Personally, I love to read stories from a male's point of view. So reading 2 males perspectives.... well, I was seriously happy!! The 3 voices flow smoothly throughout the book and its so cool to get inside the different characters heads and know what each of them are thinking!!
The plot was paced so that you were always kept involved and invested in the story. There are mermaids and selkies and gorgons and sirens and you get to learn the stories of each of them. And there were enough twists and turns to have you anticipating what would happen next!
The characters were all likeable and as much as I loved Yara and Treygan it was Pango who had me laughing out loud at his witty and amusing comments!! I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Yara and Treygan. Definitely not love at first sight. There were times throughout the book were I found myself questioning whether I really liked Rownan or not, but by the end of the book he had won me over.
So, if you love fantasy, romance and adventure then Tangled Tides is the book for you!!
loveisnotatriangle's review
4.0
My first mermaid book, and I was pleasantly surprised. I liked the mermaid/selkie/siren/gorgon lore. It felt fairly believable and not cheesy. Yara was a great heroine. I loved her humor and the way that she grows throughout the novel.
reading_i_like_that_shit's review
3.0
This was the first book that I've ever read that involved Mermaids. When I received the e-book I just dove into it, I didn't read the summary or have any clue as to what it was about. When I found out that the main characters were mer, I thought "sweet, this is different." I enjoyed the world that Karen invented. At first I will admit I could not get The Little Mermaid out of my head. But the more I read the more I pushed that visual aside. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters that she brought to life on the pages, they are for the most part easy to picture. But when we got to the selkies, I was a bit confused on how to imagine them in my brain. When you find out what they are you might be like I was and think "what the heck does this have anything to do with mermaids?" But they will grow on you a bit. The plot of the story was very interesting, the details were great. I will say though the only issues I ran into with this story was all the mer rules, and there are other creatures including the selkies, sirens, and gorgons who all had rules and laws, and different life styles. It was hard to grasp at first because it was in the beginning of the story and I didn't know the different creatures to place it all together in a neat little list. As I read it all fell into place and came together more and more. With out spoiling the story, I will also say there was a big even that happened between the two main characters, although I was hoping it would happen, the evet came out of left field, it was like one moment they are going about their business, there was an inner fight with one of the characters, then the next second it was in full force. I would have liked a bit of foreplay if you will to see the event grow a bit more.
Over all I enjoyed the story, it kept me interested and we all know that takes allot for me with my ADD, it's harder than most to stay on task. I enjoyed the action that was in the books, and let me just say Pango & Merrick two mermen in the story are a riot, I quite enjoyed their characters, they made me giggle often.
I will rate this book 3.5 stars, and I would recommend this story to others to bring them into the mer world.
I would like to thank Karen Hooper for writing this story and sharing it.
My book review from my personal blog over at omgitsparkles.blogspot.com
Over all I enjoyed the story, it kept me interested and we all know that takes allot for me with my ADD, it's harder than most to stay on task. I enjoyed the action that was in the books, and let me just say Pango & Merrick two mermen in the story are a riot, I quite enjoyed their characters, they made me giggle often.
I will rate this book 3.5 stars, and I would recommend this story to others to bring them into the mer world.
I would like to thank Karen Hooper for writing this story and sharing it.
My book review from my personal blog over at omgitsparkles.blogspot.com
seeingnight's review
5.0
GENRE: Paranormal Romance
THEME: Mermaids, Selkies, Myths
RECEIVED: For Review from Rhemalda Publishing
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
REVIEW:
Karen Amanda Hooper writes a mermaid tale that adds a touch of mythology, romance and action, creating a story that I wished would never end.
Tangled Tides follows Yara Jones, a young girl who gets sucked into an underwater world when a stubbornly handsome merman turns her into a mermaid. Yara grew up with the loss of her parents and taken in by Llyod who has been the best family she could ever ask for. She eventually falls for a ruggedly handsome man named Rowan who has just as many secrets as the merman who has taken her to sea. She finds out that her connection to the sea isn’t an accident and that her parents were trying to protect her from a fate that will be dangerous and will forever change her life.
Yara is brought to this underwater world, where she slowly unravels a secret that she is the key to opening a gate to Rathe, the world the merfolk have been disconnected from for 18 years. But being the key comes with a price and even though she starts to feel a connection to the merfolk, when one person she connects with is threatened Yara will have to find a way to save him. I really liked Yara’s strength and determination, at the beginning she’s pretty angry about being turned into a mermaid, but soon connects with this new life.
Treygan, a stubborn merman that brings Yara to her new world, he becomes her Guardian and tries to help her adjust to her new life. He has a unique background that makes him both powerful and dangerous, as well as a heavy burden to carry everyday, which accounts for his stubborn and distant exterior. But Yara seems to be someone to finally open a soft spot in his heart.
Yara and Treydgan relationship is the major focus is the story, along with the myth behind their world’s connection to Poseidon and Medusa. I loved the mythology side to Hoopers story; it brought a twist to each character. Their connection has some awkward but loveable moments and as the reader you really want them to be together.
Overall I loved Tangled Tides, there was so much that happens including the villainous type Sirens, Selkies on a mission to get to the other realm at all cost. As well as two brothers who will do anything for love and having to make the ultimate sacrifice. There is so much, but I don’t want to spoil anything. This is a must read for both young adult and adult paranormal fan!
RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult novel that I felt is great for adult as well. Fans of Forgive my Fins by Tera Lynn Childs and Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs will be sucked into this underwater world of romance.
THEME: Mermaids, Selkies, Myths
RECEIVED: For Review from Rhemalda Publishing
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
REVIEW:
Karen Amanda Hooper writes a mermaid tale that adds a touch of mythology, romance and action, creating a story that I wished would never end.
Tangled Tides follows Yara Jones, a young girl who gets sucked into an underwater world when a stubbornly handsome merman turns her into a mermaid. Yara grew up with the loss of her parents and taken in by Llyod who has been the best family she could ever ask for. She eventually falls for a ruggedly handsome man named Rowan who has just as many secrets as the merman who has taken her to sea. She finds out that her connection to the sea isn’t an accident and that her parents were trying to protect her from a fate that will be dangerous and will forever change her life.
Yara is brought to this underwater world, where she slowly unravels a secret that she is the key to opening a gate to Rathe, the world the merfolk have been disconnected from for 18 years. But being the key comes with a price and even though she starts to feel a connection to the merfolk, when one person she connects with is threatened Yara will have to find a way to save him. I really liked Yara’s strength and determination, at the beginning she’s pretty angry about being turned into a mermaid, but soon connects with this new life.
Treygan, a stubborn merman that brings Yara to her new world, he becomes her Guardian and tries to help her adjust to her new life. He has a unique background that makes him both powerful and dangerous, as well as a heavy burden to carry everyday, which accounts for his stubborn and distant exterior. But Yara seems to be someone to finally open a soft spot in his heart.
Yara and Treydgan relationship is the major focus is the story, along with the myth behind their world’s connection to Poseidon and Medusa. I loved the mythology side to Hoopers story; it brought a twist to each character. Their connection has some awkward but loveable moments and as the reader you really want them to be together.
Overall I loved Tangled Tides, there was so much that happens including the villainous type Sirens, Selkies on a mission to get to the other realm at all cost. As well as two brothers who will do anything for love and having to make the ultimate sacrifice. There is so much, but I don’t want to spoil anything. This is a must read for both young adult and adult paranormal fan!
RECOMMENDATION:
This is a young adult novel that I felt is great for adult as well. Fans of Forgive my Fins by Tera Lynn Childs and Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs will be sucked into this underwater world of romance.