Title: The Crown of Embers
Author: Rae Carson
ISBN: 9780062026514
Pages: 416
Release Date: September 18, 2012
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 4 out of 5

This review contains no spoilers for The Girl of Fire and Thorns or The Crown of Embers.

Summary:

Elisa is a hero to her people after her courageous actions in The Girl of Fire and Thorns, but now she must face all new challenges. She isn’t sure who she can trust, and what’s more, she still has the Godstone to worry about. As her kingdom faces new threats from outside and from within, Elisa must discover the truth behind her destiny and find a way to help her people.

Review:

The Girl of Fire and Thorns is a novel that impressed me greatly, but I reviewed for a site I freelance for, so I didn’t get a chance to do much beyond a short review here. I decided to rectify that with the second book in the trilogy, The Crown of Embers, using this review as an opportunity to discuss what I found so unique about this YA fantasy series.

The main character, Elisa, is definitely different from most heroines you come across in teenage novels. She’s not stick thin, nor is she especially pretty. Instead, when The Girl of Fire and Thorns begins, she’s rather unattractive, drowning her sorrows in the food around her. It’s what makes her transformation over the course of these two books so extraordinary. She finds her voice and her strength, realizing that she can amount to more than others’ expectations. The character growth across these two novels is really wonderful, especially because when The Crown of Embers begins, Elisa (who has already proven herself in The Girl of Fire and Thorns) must establish herself all over again with a new set of people.

The storyline behind The Crown of Embers is certainly an interesting one. The fictional society seems to be mostly based on Catholic Spain, albeit with some supernatural (or rather, divine in this case) forces at work. Carson has created a rich tapestry of backstory for this book, and it’s interesting to watch how everything unfolds. The twists and turns are unexpected, yet completely believable. Readers who put a premium on worldbuilding in fantasy novels will really enjoy this one.

While The Girl of Fire and Thorns blew me away, The Crown of Embers entertained me. It wasn’t quite as amazing as the first book in the trilogy, but it was thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end. The book is categorized as YA because of Elisa’s tender age, but this series should appeal greatly to adult readers. The romances are well-written and mature, and Elisa is too smart to succumb to the teenage angst that riddles so many other books in this genre. All in all, if you’re looking for a unique fantasy read with a truly amazing main character, look no further than Rae Carson’s trilogy.

Other books by Rae Carson:

The Girl of Fire and Thorns

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Title: The Twelve
Author: Justin Cronin
ISBN: 9780345504982
Pages: 592
Release Date: October 16, 2012
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Dystopian
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

It’s Year Zero of the infection that threatens to wipe out the human race. People don’t know where to turn as the world collapses around them, and three people—Kittridge, Lila, and April—face the coming destruction in very different ways. One hundred years later, Peter, Alicia, Amy, and the rest of their group continue to fight for the future of human civilization and struggle to learn everything they can about the virals.

Note: This review was written without spoilers of The Twelve or The Passage.

Review:

The Twelve is the long-anticipated sequel to Justin Cronin’s sweeping novel The Passage, about a bleak future in which virals (something comparable to vampires, though this is not a vampire novel) have overrun the world. While The Passage focused on a group of people fighting the virals 100 years after the outbreak, The Twelve takes the reader back to the beginning, to understand what happened when the virals rose as well as the aftermath.

It’s interesting to go back to the beginning, and Cronin keeps the reader hooked in The Twelve. Despite the lack of familiar faces (though readers will recognize some names), the author creates entirely new stories for the reader. This is Cronin’s strength, his ability to develop rich, complex characters with just a few paragraphs. When the reader finally returns to the people they came to know and respect from The Passage, it’s like revisiting with old friends. Cronin continues to develop these characters, and it’s interesting (and in some cases, shocking) where he takes them.

The other strong point of The Twelve is the mythology, the intricate storyline Cronin presents. It’s amazing how far it reaches and its sheer breadth; readers will be surprised and delighted as they recognize remote connections among storylines and characters. The story of the virals expands in this novel, and it’s incredibly interesting to understand where they came from, as well as where they’re going. If you’re interested in gorgeous, compelling novels of expansive scope, this is absolutely a trilogy you should be reading.

Cronin also stuffs The Twelve with atmosphere. He captures his locations beautifully with his descriptions and each sentence is packed with details. It makes the experience of reading this novel completely immersive. The characters are deep and realistic (but flawed), the storyline is mesmerizing, and the writing oozes with atmosphere. If you’re looking for a novel you can fall into, The Twelve (but if you haven’t started with The Passage, look there first) is definitely a novel to pick up immediately.

Other novels by Justin Cronin:

The Passage

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Title: The Demon Lover
Author: Juliet Dark
ISBN: 9780345510082
Pages: 448
Release Date: December 27, 2011
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Source: Personal Copy
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summary:

Callie McFay wrote a bestselling book called The Sex Lives of Demon Lovers, and now she’s received an offer to teach at Fairwick College in upstate New York as a result. She’d rather teach at her alma mater, NYU, but there’s something that pulls her to Fairwick, that convinces her it’s the right decision. Soon after accepting the position, Callie begins having charged dreams that she assumes are just a product of her imagination. But Callie realizes that there is more going on around her than she thought and that the man visiting her might not be a figment of her imagination.

Review:

The Demon Lover isn’t exactly my normal type of novel, but when I discovered that Juliet Dark is a pseudonym for Carol Goodman, an author I adore, I knew I had to read this novel as soon as possible. Goodman writes atmospheric, beautiful novels with a strong sense of mystery. They often have academic settings, which I love, so I was eager to give The Demon Lover a try.

After reading The Demon Lover, I can understand why Goodman wrote it under a pseudonym. It has many common elements with her other novels—an emphasis on academia, great atmosphere, and a strong female character—but also a few differences, which her regular readers might not love. First, there is an emphasis on sex, which can make some readers uncomfortable. Second, the novel incorporates the paranormal quite a bit. In fact, it reminded me of a sort of A Discovery of Witches-lite, without quite the depth of that novel.

Callie is an interesting main character in The Demon Lover. She’s very well-developed and believable, and the descriptions in the novel are really great. The plot moves along at a steady pace, though it’s a bit thin in places. It’s clear that this was meant to be the first novel in a series, and that it’s setting up a world for books to come. It will be interesting to see what Goodman does with the next installment.

Overall, The Demon Lover was an interesting departure, and the storyline and backstory have potential. It wasn’t perfect, but it did have a lot of elements I enjoyed and kept me interested enough to make me want to read the sequel. While I’d love it if Goodman went back to her literary suspense novels, these are an understandable new direction, given what’s happening in the book world.

Other books by Carol Goodman:

Arcadia Falls
The Drowning Tree
The Night Villa

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Title: The Dark Winter
Author: David Mark
ISBN: 9780399158643
Pages: 304
Release Date: October 25, 2012
Publisher: Blue Rider Press
Genre: Crime Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Detective Sergeant Aector McAvoy is an imposing man, but he prefers to use his brains rather than his brawn. When he’s presented with two baffling cases—the murder of a young refugee from Sierra Leone on one hand and the apparent suicide of the sole survivor of a famous shipwreck on the other—the police are convinced they’re open and shut. But Aector isn’t so sure and is willing to put everything on the line in order to make himself heard.

Review:

In The Dark Winter, David Mark brings the northern English port city of Hull to life for the reader. It’s a town that’s dying a slow death, that’s starting to reek of decay as the fishing industry is shutting down. It’s an interesting and atmospheric backdrop for this gloomy debut novel, and Mark writes it very well.

Aector McAvoy is certainly an interesting character in The Dark Winter. He’s different than many of the other police officers in fiction. He has his own demons, to be sure, but he has an inordinate desire to be a good detective and do the right thing. Those around him? They don’t trust him. McAvoy made a name for himself because he turned in a fellow police officer; they don’t know what to make of this gentle giant, a huge man who’d rather sit behind a desk than use his muscles. It’s really interesting to see this dichotomy, and though McAvoy remains shrouded in mystery through much of the novel, I’m curious to see where Mark takes him in future installments.

The minor characters in The Dark Winter are also well-written, for the most part. McAvoy’s female boss is particularly interesting. She’s sharp and witty, presenting a challenge for McAvoy because he doesn’t know how best to work with her. It’s fun to see him try to puzzle her out and it’s clear they’ll make a great team. One character who needs more development in Roisin, McAvoy’s young, beautiful wife. She comes across as a bit one-dimensional, but it’s for certain that Mark will continue to flesh her out in future novels.

The mystery in The Dark Winter is engaging and interesting. It’s a quick read, but Mark makes sure the reader is hooked from beginning to end. The identity of the murderer isn’t easy to guess, and Mark makes sure he has some surprises up his sleeve to really hook the reader. If you’re looking for an easy, atmospheric crime fiction novel that will keep your attention from beginning to end, David Mark’s debut novel is a great choice.

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Title: The Elementals
Author: Francesca Lia Block
ISBN: 9781250005496
Pages: 272
Release Date: October 16, 2012
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Ariel Silverman has just started college at Berkeley, but there are things that set her apart from the rest of the freshmen at her school. First of all, her mother is fighting cancer back home, and things don’t look good. But even more than that, Ariel wasn’t supposed to be alone at Berkeley. Her best friend Jeni and she had always planned to attend college together, but when Jeni disappeared while doing a summer program in Berkeley, everything changed. Now, Ariel must not only adjust to life at Berkeley and find her way, but also is determined to find out the truth behind Jeni’s disappearance.

Review:

The Elementals is many different things rolled up into one package. First, there’s the coming-of-age story. It’s Ariel’s first year at college, and Block does a great job describing the awkwardness of that time period. Wondering whether you’ll find a place to fit in, navigating classes and roommates—it’s captured beautifully in this novel. Readers will be able to sense Ariel’s discomfort, taste her nervousness; Block’s descriptions are wonderfully written and stretch deep into Ariel’s thoughts.

But this is more than just a coming-of-age novel, a simple story set at college. Jeni’s disappearance adds a whole different flavor to The Elementals. Instead of spending her time making friends or socializing, Ariel spends her evenings and weekends searching for clues about what might have happened to Jeni. Her loyalty is touching, but it’s also so sad; the reader can see how much Jeni’s disappearance has affected Ariel, has changed her and made her grow up all too quickly.

It isn’t until Ariel falls in with an older, mysterious crowd that she begins to settle down and enjoy her college life in The Elementals, but even this isn’t what it seems. Block describes these new friends of Ariel’s in an almost ethereal nature. It’s clear that there’s something strange going on beneath the surface, that Ariel is falling in with something she doesn’t understand. While Jeni’s disappearance provides the mystery of the novel, it’s Ariel’s new friends that really provide the opportunity for great atmosphere, which Block takes advantage of.

In the end, The Elementals is a quiet novel; if you’re looking for something earth-shattering, this isn’t the book for you. But if you’re looking for a novel that's a bit off the beaten path, that revels in its own strangeness, this might be a good choice. Block’s writing is great, and if you can suspend some disbelief as to where the plot threads end up going, you’ll enjoy Block’s adult debut novel.

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Title: Blackberry Winter
Author: Sarah Jio
ISBN: 9780452298385
Pages: 320
Release Date: September 25, 2012
Publisher: Plume
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

When Claire Aldridge wakes up to a huge snowstorm in the month of May, she’s shocked. But her shock quickly turns to irritation when she’s assigned a fluff article on the last time snow blanketed her city of Seattle in the month of May - the year 1933. But Claire discovers a new, unresearched angle to this historic snowstorm. A young boy named Daniel went missing during the storm when his mother, Vera, was forced to go to work and leave him at home alone. The case is still unsolved and Claire resolves to find out just what happened to Daniel all those years ago.

Review:

Blackberry Winter is a novel with two main characters told in two time periods. Claire makes up the frame of the novel; it’s through her research the story is being told, but Jio also gives Vera a voice. These two women, separated by years and circumstances, are so different, yet have so much in common. Vera is haunted by the disappearance of her son and her desperation to get him back leads her down difficult paths. It’s easy to sympathize with her; she’s a single mother with little means, but her motherly love is fierce and she’s determined to find Daniel.

Claire is also a sympathetic character in Blackberry Winter. She loves her husband, but they’ve drifted apart so much. She can hardly remember being young newlyweds, full of love, though it wasn’t that long ago. From the beginning, it’s clear that Claire has something that’s been eating away at her. Sometimes, her behavior can be frustrating, but once the reader learns the source of her agony and just how it happened, it’s easy to excuse Claire. She’s drowning in so much guilt that she shouldn’t have to bear; the reader will root for her to come to a place of peace and forgive herself.

The course of Blackberry Winter is predictable for the most part, but Jio makes sure she has a couple of twists up her sleeve. The result is a heartwarming book that fans of character driven stories will fall head over heels in love with. These two women absolutely leap off the page for the reader; they are so incredibly realistic and readers will find themselves emotionally engaged in this book from beginning to end.

Other books by Sarah Jio:

The Violets of March

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Title: A Dangerous Inheritance: A Novel of Tudor Rivals and the Secret of the Tower
Author: Alison Weir
ISBN: 9780345511898
Pages: 544
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

The year is 1554. Lady Katherine Grey is so excited when her sister, Jane Grey, is proclaimed queen, but she doesn’t realize the danger her family is in by acting against the Lady Mary, daughter of Henry VIII. Intertwined with her story is that of Katherine Plantagenet, who lived almost 100 years before. Kate was the illegitimate daughter of Richard III, who usurped the throne from his nephews and may have had a hand in their disappearance.

Review:

On first glance, it’s difficult to see what Katherine Grey and Kate Plantagenet have in common besides their first names. But as A Dangerous Inheritance progresses, it becomes clear: They were both strong, independent women cursed by the doings of others. For Katherine, her family’s ambition in putting Jane on the throne of England meant that she would forever be in disgrace. For Kate, her father’s deeds would haunt her. It’s interesting to see both these women try their best to find happiness, against all odds, as their lives were marred again and again by tragedy.

Weir writes her two main characters in A Dangerous Inheritance very well. It’s easy to sympathize with both women as they are mistreated and reviled due to circumstances beyond their control. She made them realistic and human; it’s easy to understand why Kate is determined to believe the best in her father, regardless of the evidence, or why Katherine thinks that love should conquer all. The reader will cheer for both of them and hope that they will find what they so desperately seek.

Alison Weir was a historian before she was a fiction writer, and that shows in A Dangerous Inheritance. The details are absolutely impeccable, as is the research that must have gone into this novel. It never becomes bogged down or dry, and though it’s over 500 pages long, the pace is quick. It’s commendable that Weir managed to balance history, story, and characters so deftly, as she did a wonderful job making this an enjoyable, engaging novel that readers won’t want to put down.

If you’re looking for a historical read to immerse yourself in, A Dangerous Inheritance is a great choice. If you’re new to the time period, Weir includes enough information for you to understand what’s happening, yet the real treat is for those who have read other books set during these two time frames. It’s great to see these famed historical events from a fresh set of eyes; it lends a new perspective and, all in all, is a lot of fun to read.

Other books by Alison Weir:

Captive Queen
The Lady in the Tower
Mary Boleyn: The Mistress of Kings
Mistress of the Monarchy
The Wars of the Roses

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Title: Other Waters
Author: Eleni N. Gage
ISBN: 9781250015747
Pages: 352
Release Date: October 16, 2012
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Cultural Fiction (South Asian)
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Maya is a doctor at a New York City hospital, and her biggest worry is how to tell her traditional Indian family about her very non-Indian boyfriend, Scott. But when her beloved grandmother dies, Maya is bereft, and all of her sudden her life isn’t so easy anymore. One by one, each member of her family suffers a misfortune, and Maya becomes convinced that her family is cursed, despite her lack of belief in such a thing. Determined to put this curse to bed once and for all, Maya travels to India and in the process joins together the two cultures that have been warring inside her for so long.

Review:

Other Waters is an interesting exploration of culture, and specifically, of the unique dilemma that faces the children of immigrants. Growing up in one culture, yet knowing that you are just as much a part of another can be a confusing experience. It’s difficult to find a sense of identity, knowing that you belong in both, yet don’t quite fit into either. Maya must face down this dilemma once and for all, forging a sense of identity between Indian and American culture, rather than trying to choose between the two.

The idea of the curse in Other Waters is very interesting. At the beginning, Maya brushes it off because she doesn’t believe in such superstition. But as bad things begin to happen around her, Maya wonders if there really is a curse. The book isn’t about whether there is a curse or not, but rather in the power of belief. Maya’s gradual belief in the curse gives it power, yet she also realizes that if it actually exists, it doesn’t matter if she believes in it or not because it will wreak havoc on her family either way. It’s really interesting to witness the interplay between modern day American life and the ghosts of superstition and ingrained beliefs.

Maya herself is a bit stunted when Other Waters begins. She’s accomplished professionally, but her personal life is a mess under the surface. She doesn’t know what she wants or how to commit. She assumes that her family will disapprove of Scott, but isn’t willing to take a stand for him. It’s interesting to watch Maya figure out her issues, as well as the neat and tidy solutions that she thinks will take care of all her problems. It’s when those solutions unravel as well that things really become interesting. This isn’t a book where all the plot threads are tied together into a nice little bow; instead, it’s messy and complicated, like real life.

If you’re looking for a South Asian read that’s contemplative, but still is on the lighter side of things, Other Waters is a good bet. Maya can be frustrating at times, but she’s realistic and it’s interesting to get inside her head. If your book club is looking for a novel with some culture, this is a great choice.

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Title: The Forgetting River
Author: Doreen Carvajal
ISBN: 9781594487392
Pages: 320
Release Date: August 16, 2012
Publisher: Riverhead
Genre: Memoir, Non-fiction, Travel
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Doreen Carvajal is a journalist who was born and raised Catholic, so she’s surprised to discover her family may be connected to conversos, Jews who converted to Catholicism during the Spanish Inquisition. Intrigued by this lost piece of personal history, Carvajal travels to a small city in Southern Spain to try and uncover her family’s true heritage.

Review:

The Forgetting River is part travelogue, part history, and part memoir. Carvajal frames the book as her search for her family’s roots, but it’s more than that. It’s not just about what Carvajal is looking for and what she learns; instead, it’s about the journey, the sights, smells, and sounds that Carvajal experiences. The stories she hears while traveling. The author brings her journey to life for the reader with vivid descriptions as she investigates the lingering effects of the Inquisition on Spanish culture.

Carvajal’s writing really makes The Forgetting River worth reading. It’s absolutely gorgeous; she takes her time with her details and ensures that the reader can picture the narrative vividly in their head. Her words soothe the soul, flowing beautifully; it’s clear that writing is a balm that gets her through her more difficult discoveries. It’s wonderful to be able to share that with the author, especially because she relates it so beautifully.

Where The Forgetting River is difficult, though, is in its structure. It doesn’t really have narrative cohesiveness, instead it comes across as a series of vignettes. They jump across time and continents and are almost a series of linked essays, rather than a single thread of narration. It can be frustrating to read at times, especially for readers who were initially drawn to the book because of its detective-esque premise. This is a slow read, and Carvajal takes her time with her search. It makes for a contemplative read which, as I’ve said previously, is more about the journey than the destination.

If you’re looking for a thoughtful book about the connections among family, history, culture, and religion, this is a great choice. It’s not amazingly fast moving, but readers who enjoy a slower pace will fall into Carvajal’s beautiful writing style and wonderful descriptions. If you’re looking for a change of pace with your book club, Carvajal’s thoughts and observations would make for a great discussion.

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Title: The Art Forger
Author: B. A. Shapiro
ISBN: 9781616201326
Pages: 368
Release Date: October 23, 2012
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summary:

Claire Roth was once a promising young artist, but a scandal blackballed her in the art world, and now she’s resigned to making reproductions of famous artworks for an online dealer. But everything changes when Aiden Markel, a gallery owner, approaches Claire with an offer she can’t refuse. She will forge a painting for him, making it as convincing as the original, and in return, he’ll give her the gallery showing she so desires. But when Claire discovers that the painting she’s supposed to duplicate is one of those stolen in the infamous Gardner museum heist, she’s torn about what she should do.

Review:

The Art Forger is one of those novels that has a little bit of everything: adventure, interesting history, personal dilemmas, and incredible character growth. Claire is a wonderful main character. She’s smart and determined, but also has made some bad decisions and run into bad luck. Shapiro does an incredible job balancing Claire’s character; she’s not a victim of her circumstances or of those around her, but neither are her difficult circumstances completely her own fault. It ensures that she is a strong character that readers will root for.

The most interesting aspect of The Art Forger is the amazing amount of detail when it comes to art. From how to create a reproduction of a piece of art (and how that differs from a forgery, as well as what goes into a forgery) to information about the fascinating Gardner Heist and the history of the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum, Shapiro jam packs details into this novel from beginning to end. It’s never overloaded or too much information; instead, these details serve to flesh out the story and make the novel all the more fascinating.

It’s hard to imagine that a novel about an artist could be thrilling, fascinating, and incredibly suspenseful, but Shapiro managed that with The Art Forger. This is a novel you should only pick up when you have a few hours to curl up with a book because you’ll want to read it cover to cover. The author takes the reader on incredible twists and turns, as Claire tries to navigate the difficult situation she finds herself in. It’s also wonderfully unpredictable, and readers will gasp in shock as new information comes to light at every turn.

This is a novel that has been garnering praise from every corner, and for very good reason: it’s actually that good. This review doesn’t even do justice to how exciting and unexpected this novel is. If you have any interest in the art world whatsoever, The Art Forger should be moved to the top of your must-read list immediately.

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Happy Sunday, everyone! Today we’re relaxing and planning on tackling some house projects, much as we’ve done every weekend since moving in. Happily, Sandy left us completely unscathed, but I’ve been reeling at the pictures and news of the devastation in New York, New Jersey, and beyond. It’s incredibly sad, though it’s wonderful to see how people are banding together to support one another.

The house is slowly coming together, which is nice, though we still have some lingering messes and boxes. We’d love to finish that up this weekend; though I’m starting to have more reading time, it’s hard to make myself sit down and relax when I know there is clutter. I am progressing on reading, however - I actually posted four reviews this week! Hopefully, I’ll be able to keep up with a regular schedule from now on.

Reviews posted this week:

Title: Silenced
Author: Allison Brennan
ISBN: 9781250005953
Pages: 416
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

When a high-priced prostitute linked to Washington, DC’s elite is found dead, it sets off a firestorm. FBI Academy future attendee Lucy Kincaid wants to consult on the murder as she has in previous cases with her friend and mentor Noah Armstrong. But Lucy’s presence ruffles some feathers, and she must learn firsthand how to navigate the difficult politics of the FBI while still pursuing justice for the victim.

Review:

The fourth Lucy Kincaid novel takes the reader back to sex-related crimes (after the departure from the theme in the previous novel If I Should Die). This time, it’s a prostitute who’s the victim, and Lucy feels determined to bring her to justice. The story is well-crafted and interesting, and though there are parts of it that are predictable, it makes for a satisfying read.

The most interesting aspect of Silenced is Lucy’s first real confrontation with FBI internal politics. Up until now, she has been sheltered from the way that the organization works by Noah, but now, he can’t protect her. Some aspects of the way Lucy is treated are unfair, but it’s also clear that Lucy has received special treatment, different than other FBI Academy recruits. It’s interesting to see Lucy reflect on this, as well as to watch her develop a thicker skin.

If you’ve read the first three books in the Lucy Kincaid series, reading Silenced should be a no-brainer. If you haven’t, you should still consider picking this book up. Brennan catches the reader up on enough such that it’s easy to read this as a standalone novel, and each of the books in the series is a suspenseful, thrilling novel.

Other books by Allison Brennan:

If I Should Die
Kiss Me, Kill Me
Love Me to Death

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Title: The Mermaid Collector
Author: Erika Marks
ISBN: 9780451237927
Pages: 432
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Publisher: NAL
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:

Tess Patterson has lived in the small town of Cradle Harbor, Maine for all her life, but she’s never felt accepted by her fellow residents. So when another outsider, Tom Grace, arrives in town, it’s only natural that the two would connect. Tom was bequeathed the lightkeeper’s house, though it’s a mystery to everyone in town how Tom knew the former occupant. As Tess and Tom learn each other’s secrets, they also begin to heal from the hurts of their pasts.

Review:

The Mermaid Collector is a novel told in two different time frames. The main storyline is in the present, but Marks brings the past to life as well. In 1888, legend says that the lightkeeper left his wife Lydia behind in order to be with the love of his life, a mermaid. Marks tells the story from Lydia’s point of view, juxtaposing her tale against Tess and Tom’s. At times, it may seem unclear what this story has to do with the present, but it’s nice that Marks weaves some history in with her main characters.

Tess can be a difficult character at times in The Mermaid Collector. She means well, but she doesn’t always think of the consequences of her actions. She’s been hurt many times in her past, and she’s never fully healed. It’s clear that Tom can help with that, but also that he has his own issues to work out. These two characters are very well-developed. It’s easy to sympathize with both of them, even when things get difficult.

The setting of The Mermaid Collector is really rich and well-described. It’s evident that Marks feels an affinity with this area and she brings it to life for the reader. Her attention to detail is wonderful, and as a result the reader will be able to feel the breezes on their skin and smell the salt in the air. At times, the book seems a bit overloaded with subplots, but it’s the well-written characters and wonderful atmosphere that will keep the reader going.

If you’re looking for a light, easy read, The Mermaid Collector is a good choice. While it does have some issues with subplots and pacing, it’s still a fun read that will satisfy anyone looking for a good women’s fiction novel.

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