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halynah's review against another edition
5.0
Exceptionally sweet and pleasant read! Loved the characters, the atmosphere of the book, all the funny inner monologues of Miranda, swoonworthy Leo and all the family secrets of Miranda's granny. Highly recommended!
courtneyyloves's review against another edition
1.0
I had really high hopes for this book. And it didn't meet any of them.
The only semi good part and story line was that the Grandma had an affair.
Not much story line besides the twist in the end that you seen from a mile away.
The only semi good part and story line was that the Grandma had an affair.
Not much story line besides the twist in the end that you seen from a mile away.
mackef's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
The end felt rushed and not like an end. It could almost have used another like 100 pages to actually flesh some things out.
stephxsu's review against another edition
3.0
In SEA CHANGE, Aimee Friedman has written an uplifting and magical summer read. This book has all the elements that a summer book demands: an exotic setting, secrets, multiple love interests, stormy emotions, and magical mystique. Selkie Island, with its variety of characters—from the friendly fishermen in the natives’ village to the status-obsessed rich summer vacationers who are Miranda’s neighbors—is a locale that has captured my attention and desires.
However, SEA CHANGE is a book that relies mostly on mystery and plot to move along, which explains but cannot be an excuse for the lack of depth in most of the characters. Most notable how abruptly and incompletely Miranda and Leo’s relationship develops. Physical attraction and “perfect” banter does not a believable relationship make, and I definitely felt like I was missing something that connected these two characters with each other.
Similarly, most of the supporting characters also rely on clichés and stereotypes to make their point. I never got a clear picture of Miranda’s island friends, and there were many times when I felt like SEA CHANGE got dangerously close to the line between sweet, feel-good read and cliché-ridden summer-mystery love story.
Overall, however, I would recommend SEA CHANGE and its intriguing mysteries as a light read, perfect for a beach or poolside day.
However, SEA CHANGE is a book that relies mostly on mystery and plot to move along, which explains but cannot be an excuse for the lack of depth in most of the characters. Most notable how abruptly and incompletely Miranda and Leo’s relationship develops. Physical attraction and “perfect” banter does not a believable relationship make, and I definitely felt like I was missing something that connected these two characters with each other.
Similarly, most of the supporting characters also rely on clichés and stereotypes to make their point. I never got a clear picture of Miranda’s island friends, and there were many times when I felt like SEA CHANGE got dangerously close to the line between sweet, feel-good read and cliché-ridden summer-mystery love story.
Overall, however, I would recommend SEA CHANGE and its intriguing mysteries as a light read, perfect for a beach or poolside day.
4saradouglas's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this was a pretty typical YA romance. It was fun throughout most of the story, but the writing left some things to be desired. Definitely not as good as Twilight, but it would be liked by similar readers.
audryt's review against another edition
Quit a couple of chapters in. The secrets were easy to guess, so there was no reason to read it for them, and the characters just didn't interest me. Not the target audience, though, so not unexpected.
halcyone's review against another edition
3.0
This review was originally posted at The Cozy Armchair.
I thought this would be an enchanting book about mermaids (or, more accurately, mermen), but it wasn't. Right off the bat, I'll tell you that Sea Change's plot only skirts around the fantastical aspects, instead shaping a story about Miranda's personal development in the face of huge changes. It ended up being a book more about interpersonal relationships between family and friendships, with a side of intriguing revelations about the past.
This doesn't mean that it was a bad book. On the contrary, I really enjoyed it! Sure, Miranda got a bit annoying with her constant assertions that she was All About Science, but she got slightly better as the story went on. And yeah, she and Leo fall in love a little too quickly, but I set aside my disbelief and let myself accept this as an easy summer read, no critical thinking necessary!
It was a very atmospheric book. I definitely felt immersed in the summery environment, and I loved the gorgeous sea-side imagery. The scene where Miranda meets Leo for the first time is a great example of this! Seriously fantastic. In a way, their relationship was very alluring, so yeah, I too swooned over Leo. The boy is too good to be true, but who cares!
However, it was frustrating to get all these tantalizing hints at "something more" (that something being mermaids/mermen) and never have it come to anything. It was hinted at being an inherited trait, and so many little hints were dropped about it really being an element of life for the island's citizens (not those vacationing there), but in the end we never get a legit "Yes, they exist! Yes, that's what Leo's hiding!" I don't want to go too much into it because I'll end up spoiling everything.
Because of this, there were a few moments where I sat reading, shaking my fist at the book, saying, "Friedman!!" threateningly as David Tennant would. In a way, just as I complain about it not being explicit fantasy (and even that is subjective, because there are a few scenes that definitely tread that ground, just not enough for my tastes; I guess I wanted a legit mermaid story lol), I can also say that this way of skirting around the absolute truth really worked for the book's plot and Miranda's character development.
So, take it for what it is, and y'know, hope there's a sequel! Because it's definitely open-ended.
I thought this would be an enchanting book about mermaids (or, more accurately, mermen), but it wasn't. Right off the bat, I'll tell you that Sea Change's plot only skirts around the fantastical aspects, instead shaping a story about Miranda's personal development in the face of huge changes. It ended up being a book more about interpersonal relationships between family and friendships, with a side of intriguing revelations about the past.
This doesn't mean that it was a bad book. On the contrary, I really enjoyed it! Sure, Miranda got a bit annoying with her constant assertions that she was All About Science, but she got slightly better as the story went on. And yeah, she and Leo fall in love a little too quickly, but I set aside my disbelief and let myself accept this as an easy summer read, no critical thinking necessary!
It was a very atmospheric book. I definitely felt immersed in the summery environment, and I loved the gorgeous sea-side imagery. The scene where Miranda meets Leo for the first time is a great example of this! Seriously fantastic. In a way, their relationship was very alluring, so yeah, I too swooned over Leo. The boy is too good to be true, but who cares!
However, it was frustrating to get all these tantalizing hints at "something more" (that something being mermaids/mermen) and never have it come to anything. It was hinted at being an inherited trait, and so many little hints were dropped about it really being an element of life for the island's citizens (not those vacationing there), but in the end we never get a legit "Yes, they exist! Yes, that's what Leo's hiding!" I don't want to go too much into it because I'll end up spoiling everything.
Because of this, there were a few moments where I sat reading, shaking my fist at the book, saying, "Friedman!!" threateningly as David Tennant would. In a way, just as I complain about it not being explicit fantasy (and even that is subjective, because there are a few scenes that definitely tread that ground, just not enough for my tastes; I guess I wanted a legit mermaid story lol), I can also say that this way of skirting around the absolute truth really worked for the book's plot and Miranda's character development.
So, take it for what it is, and y'know, hope there's a sequel! Because it's definitely open-ended.
lisawreading's review against another edition
4.0
"Sea Change" is a lovely young adult novel about summer romance. Miranda is a brainy New York teen who unexpectedly finds herself spending the summer on mysterious Selkie Island off the coast of Georgia after her grandmother passes away. As Miranda works with her mother to pack up the grandmother's island mansion, she meets both the affluent group of teens who summer on the island annually and a beautiful, sensitive, local boy named Leo. Leo shares Miranda's passion for science and nature, yet seems to be hiding a secret too preposterous for Miranda to believe. I like that the author never tells us flat-out if Miranda's guesses about Leo's secret identity are fact or fancy. The love story between Miranda and Leo feels true-to-life, full of passion yet tempered by the reality of their separate lives. At first, Miranda seems very Bella-like: smart, out of her element, unsure of her own worth, and trying to make sense out of legends and lore. However, Miranda ends up in a very different place, treasuring her relationship with her mother and family, valuing her education, and realizing that she doesn't have to give up everything for love. No question as to who makes the better role model.
hpitcher15's review against another edition
it was dull. it seemed like nothing really happened.
themarishale's review against another edition
4.0
I adored this book, really and truly.
Leo and Miranda and the grotto and the crab cakes and seaweed salad; all of it was magical and ethereal and over way too soon.
Leo and Miranda and the grotto and the crab cakes and seaweed salad; all of it was magical and ethereal and over way too soon.