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A review by gabyijo
Tangled Tides by Karen Amanda Hooper
5.0
It's been so long since I last enjoyed reading a very tragic, yet beautiful tale. When I read the blurb, I thought this book is going to be a fun read about a girl who is destined to be a mermaid to save her people. It never occurred to me that she has to go through these painful sacrifices, especially when it has to do with her soulmate, Treygan. The story starts off lightly with Treygan "kidnapping" Yara and changing her to a mermaid and ending the world's most tragic climax. Never saw it coming. I couldn't think of anything more miserable than finally finding your true love and having to lose them in your hands to save your world. Might as well say that you're not given a choice but to kill your love. I love how the story is more than just about the love of two people, but their selfless sacrifices to save everyone, even people they hate, or they've never met. It's amazing that there are no bad guys in this book, kind of like Romeo and Juliet, given the ugly fate, deception and broken heart that they have to experience.
I think the characterization in this book is very amazing. I love how Yara can be very stubborn (hence the nickname Yamabuki) yet she has a soft heart. Treygan, who is very loyal and would do anything to save his people, even sacrifice himself and his first and newly found love. He never deserved that. But most of all, I think Cleo's characterization is the most brilliant among all. She never had a real conversation in the book, but I feel her pain, her sadness, her love for fate and Yara--a mother's love so beautifully portrayed. She would do anything, even release her chance of living the life she so much wanted, to save her child and relieve Yara from all the possibilities of living a horrible fate. And best of all, Yara never knew about her mother's plan until it happens.
The plot is also a large aspect to why I gave this book the 5 stars that it deserves. I didn't exactly know what is happening, and what is everyone's purpose until the half end of the book. I started off as clueless as ever and ended up as mesmerized as ever. It's amazing that the author can give us the important information gradually and without having to bombard too much to the readers. I never felt confused, I only have strong cravings for more answers. And I got so scared that I almost stopped reading because the story becomes so depressing I'm not strong enough to handle the ending. Even expecting the unexpected is not enough to describe how crazy suspenseful this book can be.
This book isn't just a one-time read. That's why it's amazing because I believe I would still enjoy it rereads after rereads.
I think the characterization in this book is very amazing. I love how Yara can be very stubborn (hence the nickname Yamabuki) yet she has a soft heart. Treygan, who is very loyal and would do anything to save his people, even sacrifice himself and his first and newly found love. He never deserved that. But most of all, I think Cleo's characterization is the most brilliant among all. She never had a real conversation in the book, but I feel her pain, her sadness, her love for fate and Yara--a mother's love so beautifully portrayed. She would do anything, even release her chance of living the life she so much wanted, to save her child and relieve Yara from all the possibilities of living a horrible fate. And best of all, Yara never knew about her mother's plan until it happens.
The plot is also a large aspect to why I gave this book the 5 stars that it deserves. I didn't exactly know what is happening, and what is everyone's purpose until the half end of the book. I started off as clueless as ever and ended up as mesmerized as ever. It's amazing that the author can give us the important information gradually and without having to bombard too much to the readers. I never felt confused, I only have strong cravings for more answers. And I got so scared that I almost stopped reading because the story becomes so depressing I'm not strong enough to handle the ending. Even expecting the unexpected is not enough to describe how crazy suspenseful this book can be.
This book isn't just a one-time read. That's why it's amazing because I believe I would still enjoy it rereads after rereads.