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mortaldivergence's review
5.0
I picked this book up on a whim, and i'm so happy I did! I loved it so much! I especially loved Sebastian!
xlovelylaurencalistax's review
3.0
This was so diverse and different. It was written as if the words floated on the sea. I just wish it had a faster pace maybe? And more "woah" moments but I think it was beautiful and very calming.
rachcannoli's review
3.0
SUMMER OF CHASING MERMAIDS follows the story of Elyse, a girl from Tobago who decided to take refuge in Atargatis Cove after an accident that damaged her voice leaving her mute. A loose, contemporary re-telling of THE LITTLE MERMAID, we see Elyse slowly come to the realization that her life isn’t over, it's simply the beginning anew. With the help of a local, notorious playboy with a heart of gold, Elyse is finally able to face her past and find her inner voice.
This book is very sweet and has a lot of things that I enjoyed. The disabled representation was really great and though it clearly plays homage to THE LITTLE MERMAID, it's not so much so that it was annoying or unoriginal. It doesn't shy away from trauma, especially the mystery with Elyse's accident/past, but I personally don't think it pushed it far enough. I think all the foundations of a great book are here, but it just didn't fully come together for me.
The main plot is just kind of uninteresting too, I found myself really struggling to get invested or really care about any of these characters and especially the main romance. It's not bad per say, just felt cliché and a bit uninspired. It's very possible I just wasn't in the right mindset for this book (I should've read it in the Summer) and my brain is not on board with this YA/two dimensional romance. I didn't dislike it and I can see a lot of people really connected with a disable main protagonist, which I really loved/appreciated, but past that concept it just didn't really develop much further to the point of keeping my attention. A book I'm glad I got off my never-ending TBR, but not one I'll keep 0r most likely ever want to revisit.
This book is very sweet and has a lot of things that I enjoyed. The disabled representation was really great and though it clearly plays homage to THE LITTLE MERMAID, it's not so much so that it was annoying or unoriginal. It doesn't shy away from trauma, especially the mystery with Elyse's accident/past, but I personally don't think it pushed it far enough. I think all the foundations of a great book are here, but it just didn't fully come together for me.
The main plot is just kind of uninteresting too, I found myself really struggling to get invested or really care about any of these characters and especially the main romance. It's not bad per say, just felt cliché and a bit uninspired. It's very possible I just wasn't in the right mindset for this book (I should've read it in the Summer) and my brain is not on board with this YA/two dimensional romance. I didn't dislike it and I can see a lot of people really connected with a disable main protagonist, which I really loved/appreciated, but past that concept it just didn't really develop much further to the point of keeping my attention. A book I'm glad I got off my never-ending TBR, but not one I'll keep 0r most likely ever want to revisit.
sdb27's review
4.0
Everyone has a perfect summer book. That book that you take with you on a road trip, that you crack open while sprawled on a beach towel, soaking up the warm sun rays and smelling the sea salt in the air as you shake sand out of the dust jacket, to no avail. The book that wraps you up in its world, making you feel like you are privy to something intimate, something secret and captivating, something that is just as much your story as the one you are tangled in.
The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler is that book for me. Between the dreamy, lyrical prose and the artful sketches of the characters and landscape, Mermaids is full of heartbreak and redemption, the painful kind, the sweet kind, wrapped up in a perfect summertime read. Simply put, Mermaids, much like any summer love, is poignant, bittersweet, and over far too quickly.
I loved it.
Mermaids is about a teenaged girl, Elyse, who suffered from an accident which took away what she felt made her special: her beautiful voice. Running from the pain of losing what essentially was her identity, Elyse finds herself in Atargatis Cove, in Oregon. Elyse was the perfect combination of vulnerable and fiesty, and you see her blossom over the course of the book as she realizes that, sometimes, you can talk without speaking.
First of all, there's something so validating about reading a book with a diverse main heroine. That's the main reason I was drawn to this book-- a spin on The Little Mermaid? With a Tobago girl as the beautiful, complicated lead? The cover is GORGEOUS and doesn't try to hide the fact that the main girl is black?? Is this a dream??! Ms. Ockler could have taken the easy route, as many authors do, and written what she knew. Instead, she took a chance and decided to write about a culture I presume she initially knew little about. It's a risky move, because some authors might come out on the other side with a book full of tropes and stereotypes, however well-intentioned. However, Ms. Ockler handles the Tobago culture dextrously, while thankfully not whomping us over the head with it every five seconds as if to say "Look how progressive I am!"
Her love interest, Christian, took a while to grow on me. But when he did, boy was he a keeper! His and Elyse's romance was equal parts tentative and passionate. They dance around each other for much of the book but it was enjoyable to watch it unfold. Christian also proved to be more than just a romance prop. You get to see his protective love for his younger brother, Sebastian, who is the cutest little bean there ever was. His story was also really interesting, and proved to be a compelling secondary plotline. You also get to see Christian's tension with his father, which, I think, is a prominent theme in many an affluent household.
At times, I felt like the story dragged, which is why this is only four instead of five stars. Without spoiling too much, a boat race is an important aspect of this book and a major vehicle to move the plot along, but I felt like nothing really happened and when it did it was resolved too quickly. But the character development, the secondary plots, and the romance all compensated for this and kept me engaged in the plot, which moves along relatively quickly.
Ockler's writing style was lovely. It helped me connect with Elyse's narration but also gave some scenes a dreamlike quality that made me unsure whether Elyse was remembering, hallucinating, or really was a mermaid. In the end, you'll have to decide for yourself if that's a metaphor, but personally I liked to view the book through both lenses--it's enjoyable all the same.
Overall, The Summer of Chasing Mermaids was full of three-dimensional, heartfelt character interactions and storylines. I rooted for Elyse when she fought back, cried when her heart broke, and smiled as she formed connections with people after having been so isolated and depressed after her accident. This book tackles lots of issues I think most YA authors won't touch: race, gender identity, socioeconomic discrimination, mental illness, physical disability... the list goes on. Each subject is handled tactfully but without relegating it to the sidelines.
Sarah Ockler knocked this one out of the park and, as a reader new to her books, I will definitely be keeping an eye on her in the future.
I was offered an ARC in exchange for an honest review as part of Diverse Book Tours.
The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler is that book for me. Between the dreamy, lyrical prose and the artful sketches of the characters and landscape, Mermaids is full of heartbreak and redemption, the painful kind, the sweet kind, wrapped up in a perfect summertime read. Simply put, Mermaids, much like any summer love, is poignant, bittersweet, and over far too quickly.
I loved it.
Mermaids is about a teenaged girl, Elyse, who suffered from an accident which took away what she felt made her special: her beautiful voice. Running from the pain of losing what essentially was her identity, Elyse finds herself in Atargatis Cove, in Oregon. Elyse was the perfect combination of vulnerable and fiesty, and you see her blossom over the course of the book as she realizes that, sometimes, you can talk without speaking.
First of all, there's something so validating about reading a book with a diverse main heroine. That's the main reason I was drawn to this book-- a spin on The Little Mermaid? With a Tobago girl as the beautiful, complicated lead? The cover is GORGEOUS and doesn't try to hide the fact that the main girl is black?? Is this a dream??! Ms. Ockler could have taken the easy route, as many authors do, and written what she knew. Instead, she took a chance and decided to write about a culture I presume she initially knew little about. It's a risky move, because some authors might come out on the other side with a book full of tropes and stereotypes, however well-intentioned. However, Ms. Ockler handles the Tobago culture dextrously, while thankfully not whomping us over the head with it every five seconds as if to say "Look how progressive I am!"
Her love interest, Christian, took a while to grow on me. But when he did, boy was he a keeper! His and Elyse's romance was equal parts tentative and passionate. They dance around each other for much of the book but it was enjoyable to watch it unfold. Christian also proved to be more than just a romance prop. You get to see his protective love for his younger brother, Sebastian, who is the cutest little bean there ever was. His story was also really interesting, and proved to be a compelling secondary plotline. You also get to see Christian's tension with his father, which, I think, is a prominent theme in many an affluent household.
At times, I felt like the story dragged, which is why this is only four instead of five stars. Without spoiling too much, a boat race is an important aspect of this book and a major vehicle to move the plot along, but I felt like nothing really happened and when it did it was resolved too quickly. But the character development, the secondary plots, and the romance all compensated for this and kept me engaged in the plot, which moves along relatively quickly.
Ockler's writing style was lovely. It helped me connect with Elyse's narration but also gave some scenes a dreamlike quality that made me unsure whether Elyse was remembering, hallucinating, or really was a mermaid. In the end, you'll have to decide for yourself if that's a metaphor, but personally I liked to view the book through both lenses--it's enjoyable all the same.
Overall, The Summer of Chasing Mermaids was full of three-dimensional, heartfelt character interactions and storylines. I rooted for Elyse when she fought back, cried when her heart broke, and smiled as she formed connections with people after having been so isolated and depressed after her accident. This book tackles lots of issues I think most YA authors won't touch: race, gender identity, socioeconomic discrimination, mental illness, physical disability... the list goes on. Each subject is handled tactfully but without relegating it to the sidelines.
Sarah Ockler knocked this one out of the park and, as a reader new to her books, I will definitely be keeping an eye on her in the future.
I was offered an ARC in exchange for an honest review as part of Diverse Book Tours.
katiemichellereads's review
5.0
This review was originally posted to my blog, Kittens and Books.
I received a free review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
Elyse and her twin sister, Natalie, began singing together when they were little. Nobody had to ask the sisters what their futures held - it was obvious. But when the sea takes Elyse's voice, her future is ruined. Not wanting to face her immediate family, she moves to the U.S. to live with her aunt in Oregon.
Here she meets Christian, a boy who isn't afraid to ask questions. After finding Elyse on his boat, he takes an interest in her. And when his father makes a bet, risking his family's summer home and her Aunt Lemon's rented house, the two become even closer. Elyse has to help Christian get his boat ready to race - because if he loses, they both lose their homes in Atargatis Cove.
I went into this with false expectations that, admittedly, I wouldn't have hoped for if I read the book's summary. I expected mermaids, due to the title, not a realistic story. And I regret that, because it did slow the book down for me. I had to adjust my expectations to what the book really was.
I've also seen this in a couple of fairytale retelling lists, but I wouldn't go that far - if it's a retelling of The Little Mermaid, it's a loose one. Elyse has many sisters, and loses her voice. There are some repeated names (Ursula, Sebastian). But I think those who go in for a retelling will probably have false expectations.
That said, this book is a new addition to my favorites shelf. It is a fantastic book, with great characters and such a strong, important message. Elyse lost her voice literally, but so many people (her included) suffered from loss of their voice. There was Christian, who couldn't stand up to his father. His little brother Sebastian, whose AGE-year-old voice was too small for most people to consider. Elyse's Aunt Lemon, whose voice went unheard in matters regarding her own home - because she was renting, and the house was not technically her own property.
In the Cove, two men had voices. The mayor, a sexist man who wanted to bring in tourists even if it meant changing the quiet, calm atmosphere of the Cove, and Christian's father. And they used these voices to silence others - most of whom allowed themselves to be silenced.
It's difficult to stand up for something that seems impossible, and I think this book touched on that really well. Nobody saw the point in standing against the people who obviously had more control and, for that reason, their voices went unheard. And Elyse, loud and outgoing as she used to be, had lost her voice - how could she speak up?
One of my favorite parts of the book (and the parts that made me cry more than once) were Elyse's conversations with her Aunt Lemon. She was a fantastic woman, always encouraging Elyse to heal and find her voice again. She let her know that the sea might have taken Elyse's speaking voice, but ultimately it was her own decision to go unheard.
Another important thing was the acceptance in this book. Girls and women were portrayed wonderfully - not one of the characters was a stereotype. (Which meant no 'blonde, jealous ex' that we usually get when the main character falls for a player - you can't imagine how excited I was when I couldn't find her!) Christian did not fall for Elyse for the typical reason, either - not because she 'wasn't like other girls.' Elyse was very much like the other girls in this book, because they were all realistic, well-rounded people.
None of the teens in this book were shamed for having sex, either. Or for not having it. The adults in this book (namely Lemon who, again, was fantastic) handled that well and it was refreshing to see the topic treated as just a normal thing - because that's what it is.
And then we get to Sebastian, Christian's little brother. He had a mermaid obsession that his father, and quite a few others, found issue with. He was told again and again that mermaids 'weren't for boys,' basically, and his persistence - and the support he received from his brother, Elyse, and friends - was so great.
Even the awful characters were human. Even those who made huge mistakes were not shamed for this in the writing, and I liked that even smaller characters had their stories told and personalities shown within the story. It fit well with the message of the book, to speak up and not let yourself be silenced.
Overall, I hope nobody kept reading this in hopes of finding criticism - because while I usually try to share the good and bad parts of a story, I can't find any fault with this one. If I could have left this review at 'perfect book, go buy it!' I would have.
I received a free review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
Elyse and her twin sister, Natalie, began singing together when they were little. Nobody had to ask the sisters what their futures held - it was obvious. But when the sea takes Elyse's voice, her future is ruined. Not wanting to face her immediate family, she moves to the U.S. to live with her aunt in Oregon.
Here she meets Christian, a boy who isn't afraid to ask questions. After finding Elyse on his boat, he takes an interest in her. And when his father makes a bet, risking his family's summer home and her Aunt Lemon's rented house, the two become even closer. Elyse has to help Christian get his boat ready to race - because if he loses, they both lose their homes in Atargatis Cove.
I went into this with false expectations that, admittedly, I wouldn't have hoped for if I read the book's summary. I expected mermaids, due to the title, not a realistic story. And I regret that, because it did slow the book down for me. I had to adjust my expectations to what the book really was.
I've also seen this in a couple of fairytale retelling lists, but I wouldn't go that far - if it's a retelling of The Little Mermaid, it's a loose one. Elyse has many sisters, and loses her voice. There are some repeated names (Ursula, Sebastian). But I think those who go in for a retelling will probably have false expectations.
That said, this book is a new addition to my favorites shelf. It is a fantastic book, with great characters and such a strong, important message. Elyse lost her voice literally, but so many people (her included) suffered from loss of their voice. There was Christian, who couldn't stand up to his father. His little brother Sebastian, whose AGE-year-old voice was too small for most people to consider. Elyse's Aunt Lemon, whose voice went unheard in matters regarding her own home - because she was renting, and the house was not technically her own property.
In the Cove, two men had voices. The mayor, a sexist man who wanted to bring in tourists even if it meant changing the quiet, calm atmosphere of the Cove, and Christian's father. And they used these voices to silence others - most of whom allowed themselves to be silenced.
It's difficult to stand up for something that seems impossible, and I think this book touched on that really well. Nobody saw the point in standing against the people who obviously had more control and, for that reason, their voices went unheard. And Elyse, loud and outgoing as she used to be, had lost her voice - how could she speak up?
One of my favorite parts of the book (and the parts that made me cry more than once) were Elyse's conversations with her Aunt Lemon. She was a fantastic woman, always encouraging Elyse to heal and find her voice again. She let her know that the sea might have taken Elyse's speaking voice, but ultimately it was her own decision to go unheard.
Another important thing was the acceptance in this book. Girls and women were portrayed wonderfully - not one of the characters was a stereotype. (Which meant no 'blonde, jealous ex' that we usually get when the main character falls for a player - you can't imagine how excited I was when I couldn't find her!) Christian did not fall for Elyse for the typical reason, either - not because she 'wasn't like other girls.' Elyse was very much like the other girls in this book, because they were all realistic, well-rounded people.
None of the teens in this book were shamed for having sex, either. Or for not having it. The adults in this book (namely Lemon who, again, was fantastic) handled that well and it was refreshing to see the topic treated as just a normal thing - because that's what it is.
And then we get to Sebastian, Christian's little brother. He had a mermaid obsession that his father, and quite a few others, found issue with. He was told again and again that mermaids 'weren't for boys,' basically, and his persistence - and the support he received from his brother, Elyse, and friends - was so great.
Even the awful characters were human. Even those who made huge mistakes were not shamed for this in the writing, and I liked that even smaller characters had their stories told and personalities shown within the story. It fit well with the message of the book, to speak up and not let yourself be silenced.
Overall, I hope nobody kept reading this in hopes of finding criticism - because while I usually try to share the good and bad parts of a story, I can't find any fault with this one. If I could have left this review at 'perfect book, go buy it!' I would have.
paginasdealex's review against another edition
5.0
I needed this book. ♥
The Summer of Chasing Mermaids is an incredibly good book. As simple and as complicated as that. It's simple because it is a love story and love is something most of us understand and want. And it's complicated, because it is a meaningful story. It's about inner strength and overcoming one's doubts. This book means so much to a lot of people and one of the main reasons I wanted to read it was the way it made those people feel. I wasn’t disappointed at all.
Some people think of it as a Little Mermaid retelling but it didn’t feel like that to me. This book and this story go beyond the retelling. While there's bits and pieces from the original tale, to me the retelling takes a backseat to the main story and the richness of the book.
The book is very diverse and I loved it. Our main character comes from the Caribbean and it brings with her a different feel to the story. I struggle with the usual US white girl main character sometimes, mainly because my country’s way is different to them. I adored how the differences between cultures where highlighted and mentioned while never making less of the story.
Let’s talk about Elyse for a moment. As a character she’s incredibly different from our usual main girl. The first thing being that she can’t speak. Because of this inability she has the time to truly think and ponder what she wants to say, so by the time she manages to communicate you’re going to get her honest and true opinion. This was something I appreciated immensely, a character with strong convictions it’s a character I will most likely like. She goes through such a big change in her life and her attitude that my only regret is not having more stories about her.
Now for the relationship. Elyse and Christian are a very good couple. Sometimes in Young Adult contemporaries the dynamics between characters have to good very bad before getting good, but not in this book. Christian and Elyse bring out the best on the other, it’s through support and encouragement that they defeat their problems and demons while never downgrading or name calling the other. It’s such a good and healthy relationship and I think more authors should take this route.
The other characters are just amazing. Please come to me for your official Sebastian Kane’s fan club memberships, btw.
Overall this book was everything I look for in a contemporary. I don’t have a single complaint and cannot wait to read it again.
The Summer of Chasing Mermaids is an incredibly good book. As simple and as complicated as that. It's simple because it is a love story and love is something most of us understand and want. And it's complicated, because it is a meaningful story. It's about inner strength and overcoming one's doubts. This book means so much to a lot of people and one of the main reasons I wanted to read it was the way it made those people feel. I wasn’t disappointed at all.
Some people think of it as a Little Mermaid retelling but it didn’t feel like that to me. This book and this story go beyond the retelling. While there's bits and pieces from the original tale, to me the retelling takes a backseat to the main story and the richness of the book.
The book is very diverse and I loved it. Our main character comes from the Caribbean and it brings with her a different feel to the story. I struggle with the usual US white girl main character sometimes, mainly because my country’s way is different to them. I adored how the differences between cultures where highlighted and mentioned while never making less of the story.
Let’s talk about Elyse for a moment. As a character she’s incredibly different from our usual main girl. The first thing being that she can’t speak. Because of this inability she has the time to truly think and ponder what she wants to say, so by the time she manages to communicate you’re going to get her honest and true opinion. This was something I appreciated immensely, a character with strong convictions it’s a character I will most likely like. She goes through such a big change in her life and her attitude that my only regret is not having more stories about her.
Now for the relationship. Elyse and Christian are a very good couple. Sometimes in Young Adult contemporaries the dynamics between characters have to good very bad before getting good, but not in this book. Christian and Elyse bring out the best on the other, it’s through support and encouragement that they defeat their problems and demons while never downgrading or name calling the other. It’s such a good and healthy relationship and I think more authors should take this route.
The other characters are just amazing. Please come to me for your official Sebastian Kane’s fan club memberships, btw.
Overall this book was everything I look for in a contemporary. I don’t have a single complaint and cannot wait to read it again.
hhvintage's review
5.0
This book was very deep at times, sad at other times, but also there was so much soul and happiness to it too. I very much liked this book. I love how Sarah took some culture she didn't really know much about, researched more into it, and added it to her main characters history and personality. The romance in this book was also very cute, I didn't think it was underdone or overdone, it was a very cute quick read, and I enjoyed basically every second of it. Some parts would drag on a bit but, overall I thought it was great.