Merry Christmas From All Of Us!

Well it's been quite the year, huh? I just want to speak for all of us here who run the blog and say we  are so thankful for each and every one of you guys. Every comment feels like a victory and it's really cool that so many people share in the same weird obsession as we do.
So whatever you're celebrating today, Merry Christmas, and I hope that you all call your families, eat lots of sweets, and watch a good movie, Christmas or not (I'm just about to go downstairs and start watching Doctor Who with my family). Thank you for being such cool followers, and I hope you got one of Howard's cool books from his giveaway.

So because I, unlike Howard, do not have a multitude of books to give away yet (seriously guys, go get some!) and it's nice and stormy over here in Alabama, and I just watched the film a couple days ago, here's part of the soundtrack from Julie Taymor's adaptation of The Tempest, where the lovely Ben Whishaw sings a passage regularly quoted in mermaid literature.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYiNHot6Z3s
Merry Christmas everyone!


-Randi

The end of the Merry Mermaid Christmas Give-away

Mildred: Our Merry Mermaid Christmas Mascot  -  by Heather Rigney

All good things must come to an end and I'm sorry to say that this applies to our Christmas Give-away too. I have certainly enjoyed playing Santa Claus, running the give-away and chatting with both the winners and the losers. If you didn't win or didn't get a chance to enter, remember that the Merry Mermaid Christmas Clearance Centre on The Parsons' Rant  is still open and will remain open until our inventory is exhausted. We are offering these books on a first-come/first-served basis.

We do have a couple of winners who have yet to claim their prizes:

• Sarah from sarahcatchingbooks.blogspot.com won All The Mermaids In The Sea back on Dec, 7th
• Laura Almeida also won a copy of All The Mermaids In The Sea back on Dec, 18th

If you happen to know either of these ladies, please tell them that I am waiting for their mailing addresses.

Speaking of winners, Victoria won the Christmas Eve give-away of Everblue by Brenda Pandos.

Roll Credits

I would like to thank - in no particular order - the following people:

• Robert Cabell and his publisher, Gazebo Books, for donating 12 copies of both All The Mermaids In The Sea and A Mermaid Christmas
• Paige Bleu for donating e-copies of Finding Summerland
• Adriana Stepiano for donating - along with fancy, hand-painted book-marks - 5 copies of When, At Last, He Found Me
• Emm Cole for donating a copy of Merminia and mailing that copy to Moscow, Russia.
• Kimberly Llewellyn for donating a copy of Siren Call
• Mayda Schaefer for donating copies of Awaiting Destiny
• Brenda Pandos for donating a copy of both Everblue and Evergreen
• Heather Rigney, author and artist, for creating Mildred, The Merry Mermaid Christmas Mascot
• Garrett, GC, and all the other contributors here on The Merblog for allowing me to host the give-away. You can now have your blog back.

Finally, there has been a bit of controversy as complaints from certain quarters have come in complaining of sexism. We have failed to mention Mermen anywhere in our give-away. After all, where do you think little mermaids come from?

So, in the interest of fairness, we will end the give-away with a token Merman. (I wish I had those abs!)

Book Review: Finding Summerland by Paige Bleu

Over the past 18 months, it has been my pleasure and privilege to read a number of extraordinary Young Adult novels; so many that I've run short on superlative adjectives and am now forced to recycle a few. Needless to say, there are quite a few gifted authors out there and this reviewer believes that he's just found another one. 

Paige Bleu has embarqued on an ambitions 5 book series (!!!) which will tell the story of Wesley Rochester - the misfit middle child of a well-to-do Texas family - and Olivia, the strange otherworldly girl he meets during spring break at the family's beach house in Corpus Christie.
This contribution to The Merblog is a tease for you to read the entire review on The Parsons Rant. I am less concerned about drawing people to my site than I am about blowing the other contributors off of the front page here with my 1200-word review. Thus, I am inviting one and all to surf over to The Parsons' Rant for my review of Finding Summerland.

Waking Storms by Sarah Porter Review

Okay, so Garrett has definitely not been the only one who hasn't posted an actual mer-book review in  a while. Seeing his Tempest post made me realize I'd forgotten to post a review for my favorite mermaid book of the year!


Anyway, as anyone who known me through this blog and the Goodreads group can attest, I completely love Sarah Porter's Lost Voices books. The final book in the series, The Twice Lost, will be released sometime next year and I'm already on the edge of my seat. But as for this installment, Waking Storms, I have been very lazy with posting a review, especially considering I was privileged enough to get an advanced copy from my lovely library (thanks Bailey Cove!). So here goes a review a long time in the making.

Oh, and there are some spoilers for Lost Voices ahead, so don't read this if you haven't finished it! No spoilers for Waking Storms though.

In this second book, I'm happy to report that Porter has not fallen into the sophomore slump so many YA authors find themselves in. Waking Storms is exciting, haunting, and chock full of new characters and a lovely continuation of the heart breaking story depicted in the first book.

So the basic idea of this book is that Luce is now outed from the mermaid tribe by the evil queen Anais. Luce would rightfully be queen in the tribe but Anais has kicked her out before she could even begin to process this thought. Being a mermaid alone in the harsh Alaskan setting of the story is definitely not a smart move. On top of that, the boy Luce couldn't bring herself to drown has come back to haunt her literally. The boy, Dorian, is a troubled kid who has the "indication" usually seen around the teenage girls who become mermaids, but for some reason, the magic doesn't work on guys. Luce struggles back and forth about how their relationship could work, and meanwhile, Dorian is being questioned by the FBI. And then, when the Alaskan winter sets in, Luce makes an extremely unexpected discovery and has to make some very hard choices.

The biggest difference between WS and LV is the addition of Dorian. I was initially VERY hesitant about adding such a character to these books, because I felt like that would have been falling into another YA cliche'. But surprisingly enough, Dorian didn't annoy me when he wasn't supposed to.

That's another thing about these books. You're not supposed to like the characters sometimes. There are times that Luce is incredibly selfish and more than a little stupid, but others she is so selfless and brave. Dorian is never very likable  but after his situation and place in the world of these books is explained, you can'e help but realize all the turmoil this kid is going through. He is not supposed to be a likable character.  It's another genius thing about Porter's writing.

The other mermaids from Luce's previous tribe also make a few appearances here and there. There's a deadly showdown with Anais. There's also the addition of a Greek mermaid who is a crucial key in understanding the history and lore of Porter's mermaids.

You definitely need to read Lost Voices before Waking Storms. When I first received my ARC, I had a really hard time following because they're so dependent on each other.

All in all, definitely one of the best mer-books published this year. I highly recommend it to older teens.

-Randi

Book Review: Tempest Unleashed by Tracy Deebs

WOW. This review is long overdue; like, three months overdue. But without further ado, here's my review for Tempest Unleashed, the second installment of Tracy Deebs's Tempest trilogy. Tempest Unleashed continues the story of Tempest Maguire, a teenage girl who is growing into her destiny of becoming a great and powerful mermaid. Of course, the first book was supposed to be about that as well, but we didn't see an actual mermaid scene in the first book until the last twenty pages or so. I think that's why so many people had problems liking Tempest Rising: it was a mermaid book with barely any mermaids. Unleashed makes up for that and then some. Nearly all the book takes place under the sea with lots of mermaid and sea creature action. In fact, it's not until after the first hundred pages that there's even a scene that takes place on dry land. The mermaid world is beautiful and vividly described, from the cave Tempest discovers containing her mother's memories, to the final battle in the sunken ship. And the sea creatures: mermaids, selkies, sea witches, shark-men, and more. I mean, how many people even knew what a bunyip was (and who subsequently researched it) when reading this book? (I'd heard of it, but I still researched it.) And now I reach the topic of romance. The first book was typical of a YA paranormal romance. Stranger comes to town, and despite being creepy more often than not, the girl falls for him and no one else in her life matters anymore. Not so with Unleashed. Tempest begins have feelings for Mark again, and at first I internally groaned, as I knew that meant a love triangle was evident. And usually the protagonist of a YA PNR strings the second guy around for a couple books, but always ends up with the creepy stranger. Oh, sure, she'd act like she loved Mark, but in the end, she'd end up with Kona, despite that being the most unrealistic outcome. Now, I'm not so sure. Mark is there for her, and they have history together, and he knows her better than anyone else. Kona? He's just the typical YA male love interest, and I don't think he's worthy of Tempest. Does Mark get overprotective and act like a jerk sometimes? Yeah. But then again, that's what makes him human. He's flawed, unlike perfect Kona, the douchebag who turns into a seal. And besides, Tempest needs someone human, as she even mentions that she doesn't want to succumb to her mermaid half. Normal, simple Mark can be the anchor that Tempest needs to keep her humanity buoyant. I can only hope she ends up with Mark (or better yet, no one: she's an all-powerful mermaid; who says she needs two guys bickering over her?), but with how most YA paranormals go, I'm not holding my breath. Another interesting dynamic that I enjoyed about the first book is family. Rio grates on my nerves something fierce, but I can't blame him completely, although sometimes he acted more like a brat than what I felt was called for. Tempest's family means so much to her, and I hope she's able to accept her destiny without having to completely abandon them. I have an idea how the issues with her family and Mark will play out in the final book, but I'm just going to have to wait and see. All in all, I loved the sequel so much more than the first. Tiamat's still a creepy but intriguing antagonist (plus, I liked how the myth of Scylla was thrown in) the twist with Sabyn was slighly predictable, but enjoyable nonetheless, and the feeling that war is coming to the undersea world rings through to the book's final pages. I'm ready to see Tempest kick Tiamat's tail...literally. So in conclusion, Tempest Unleashed was a thrill ride of epic proportions, and it was everything the first book should have been and more. I can't wait to see how the final book plays out, and I know that if it's anything like Unleashed, it's going to be worth the wait.

The Little Mermaid: Diamond Edition Release Date Confirmed!

Major mermaid news, you guys! Ariel fans, rejoice, because the Diamond Edition of The Little Mermaid has been offically confirmed for fall 2013! Many TLM fans already speculated this would be the likely release date, since the film will be rereleased in theaters in 3D September 2013. But now it's official! Yay! The Diamond Editions, for those who don't know, is a rerelease of all the classic Disney films, only now they're on Blu-Ray (for most, if not all, for the first time), as well as in HD. I can't wait to see The Little Mermaid like this, as well as the new bonus features that will likely be featured. Ariel's having a big year ahead of her, what with the new Disney Art of Animation resort that features Ariel-themed rooms, the completed Little Mermaid ride and Prince Eric's castle at Disney World, and her highly anticipated appearance on ABC's Once Upon a Time. (More posts on all those things later) So, are you guys excited about the release of The Little Mermaid: Diamond Edition? Will you be one of those highly devoted fans who will be picking it up on the first day it comes out? (I know I will!)

New Ocean-Themed Comic Series Coming Soon...And It's Got Mermaids!

Earlier this week, it was announced that a new comic series is coming soon from the creators of Damsels, a comic series about fairytale princesses fighting for their lands. (And the Little Mermaid's one of 'em!) To the right is a picture of the comic series Damsels, with a beautiful mermaid featured on the cover.

Here's what the writer of the series, Matt Sturges, has to say about the new series: "What Damsels does for dry land, this book does for the ocean...We've got mermaids! Pirates! A kraken! Sirens! All wrapped up in fast-past coming-of-age story, filled with treachery, high adventure, and very probably some sharks. (And maybe even a little romance for good measure.) In short: if it's in a fairy tale or legend, and it's wet, we've got it." This sounds SO cool! I've recently gotten hooked on graphic novels (mainly due to my recent reading of Buffy Season 8), and one about mermaids is even better. I'm even more excited that almost every water-related creature from mythology and folklore will be featured. I love all things mythology, and I know a lot about mythological sea creatures. (Trust me, if some of those things actually existed, you'd never go in the water again.) So, what am I hoping out of this series? I'm hoping that the mermaids play a significant role in the series. I'm thinking the pirates might take center stage, like a Pirates of the Caribbean comic, but I'm really hoping the mermaids are the real stars. But for now, it's too soon to tell, so I'm hoping to find out more very soon. Will you guys be checking out this new comic series?

New 'Mako Island' Photos Revealed!

So, not much is known about the upcoming H2O spin-off series, The Secret of Mako Island. Or Mako Mermaids. Or Mako: Island of Secrets. Jumping jellyfish, this series has gone through so many title changes, I'm not sure what to call it anymore. Anyway,on with the photos.

The first picture shows Zac in merman form. I'm super-excited for this photo, because I wasn't sure how Zac would look. I figured he'd have an orange tail like the mermaids, but nope, Zac's rockin' a light-blue-colored tail, and that trident looks super awesome! I can't wait for the story behind it, and I definitely can't wait to see Zac in merman mode, as well as just what kind of adventures a teenage merman gets himself into.

Next is an image that shows the three leading ladies in human form, talking to an unknown mermaid in the Moon Pool. This actually makes sense to me, though some fans speculated just who this mermaid was and what she was doing there. In the show, the three main mermaids have been exiled from their mermaid pod, as they must come ashore and find Zac and take away his powers. So, judging from the girls' expressions, they definitely don't look happy, so this is probably them finding out that they're banned from going home until Zac is found and his powers stripped. Also, I wonder why the Moon Pool looks so different. I mean, if it's the same Moon Pool, why is it so different. Now, I haven't finished the third season of H2O, so maybe something happens that changes the Moon Pool. (I've heard spoilers...hopefully they're wrong.) Anyway, now we have a better insight into the Mako Island spin-off series (I STILL don't know what to officially call it), and I can't wait to see the actual show come to completion. Anything with mermaids, mermen, and a badass-looking trident is okay with me.

Mermaid Crossovers That Should Or Should Not Happen

I know a lot our lovely  readers are involved in a fandom of one sort of another, like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Doctor Who, Sherlock, Game of Thrones etc. So I thought I'd make a long, silly, lengthy, and utterly un-necessary post about what would happen if we put in some mermaids to these lovely shows/books/movies/lifestyles. Here goes nothing.

Warning: Hilarity and Twilight bashing ensue. 

Harry Potter + Mermaids = That already happened.

Sherlock (as in BBC Sherlock, with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman) + Mermaids = YES!

Just imagine it. Dead mermaid washes up on shore, Sherlock and John go investigate, and then a strange guest in a wheel chair shows up at 221B. Brilliant! 

Twilight + Mermaids = Oh please, no.

I hate myself for even entertaining this possibility. But sadly, Twilight and mermaids would be the most un-intentionally hilarious crossover. Is this a love square I sense coming on? Sorry if this offends any Twlight fans! I really just never got the hype behind the series.

Game of Throne + Mermaids = That actually makes sense, sort of.

I myself have not actually read or watched Game of Thrones, but I've consulted with a few experts on this crossover, and according to them, this would actually be a ridiculously good idea. Any GoT fans want to weigh in? 

The Hunger Games + Mermaids = Potentially one of the most dangerous arenas ever.

Think about it: Mermaids are known to have dangerous soul sucking, flesh eating, seducing tendencies. Now figure that into one of Suzanne's famously twisted arenas. Then translate that to the silver screen. Quaking with fear? Yeah, me too.

Doctor Who + Mermaids = I would watch this in a heartbeat.

We've been through dinosaurs, robots, vampires (sort of), and debatably a mermaid (Curse of the Black Spot), but a lot of Who fans will definitely agree with me when I say mermaids are definitely an interesting crossover with an already whacky show. Imagine an episode with a mermaid as a one time companion. Exciting stuff!

Supernatural + Mermaids = Should happen in the near future.

I mean seriously, that's gotta be the next step on the ladder right? Sam and Dean better find some scuba gear. Demon mermaids anyone?

The Avengers + Mermaids = Potentially disastrous.

I literally see no plausible way of this working ever. And I mean that. I love the Avengers, but it would take an act of God to put these two together and make me believe it. But hey, The Little Thormaid perked my interest. Loki as Ursula? Odin as Poseidon? It's surprising how much it works. Small note: Sleeping Beauty is also applicable to Captain America. And The Emporer's New Groove is applicable to Iron Man. And Anastasia (which isn't Disney, I know) applies to Black Widow and Hawkeye. I could literally go on forever about the similarities between Avengers and Disney movies. But mermaids and The Avengers? I can't dig it, much as I love both of them.

That's all I've got for the moment, but what do you guys think? Anything I left out? Let me know, okay?

-Randi

Allow Me To Introduce Myself

Hello,
My name is Howard Parsons and I've been a certified Mermaid Geek since the age of five. Garrett has graciously invited me to be an author here on the MerBlog. I'm a software engineer and have my own blog-site called "The Parsons' Rant" at HowardParsons.info where I blog about technology, whatever comes to mind and  . . . . "Mer-fiction".

I write reviews of the books I read - or at least the good ones - and post them on my site, Goodreads and now I'll be posting selected reviews here on the MerBlog as well. Most of the "Mer-fiction" I review fall into the Young Adult category. I find young adult fiction to -usually - be fresh, exciting and most of all, fun. I've reached the age where my nightmares are now about retirement rather than high school so it is indeed quite a bit of fun to read stories aimed at that demographic.

Another thing I've started doing on my site is interviewing authors. I published on my first one on October 10th and have another one in the works for early November. Because of the layout that I'm currently using for the interviews, copying and re-posting here just isn't going to work very well. I will, however, announce when an interview has published and post a short-link for visitors to follow. I have a total of 4 authors lined up for interviews and am on the look-out for more.

My first interview was with Emm Cole, author of Merminia. I had quite a bit of fun working with her on this interview and I hope that the next four interviews will be fun as well. If you're interested in reading what Emm had to say, please visit The Parson's Rant. (This link, BTW, will take you to Emm Cole's Interview.)

That's enough for this time. I hope to be able drop in and pay a visit from time to time.

Sort of Kind of Mermaid Books

Hi everyone! So today I started Fathomless by Jackson Pearce, a re-telling of the Little Mermaid that also serves as a companion to Pearce's other novels Sweetly and Sisters Red. I was really excited to get the book and then when I started reading.....the mermaids aren't really mermaids.  They live under  water, but they don't have any fish-like qualities besides living in water. So here's a list of books that we previously thought were mermaid books, but sadly, don't actually have by-the-book mermaids.

-Siren by Tricia Rayburn (and it's subsequent sequels). The sirens don't have tails, but they do breathe underwater and lure and kill men. It's more of a take on the original Greek mythology with the bird-like women, but then again, Rayburn's sirens don't really do the bird thing either.

- Ripple by Mandy Hubbard (I think it has a few sequels too). I personally have not read this one, but a few other guys in our Goodreads group have. They reported the novel was a fun read, but alas, no mermaid tails here either. Although again with the luring men to their death thing. That's in there.

-Wrecked by Anna Davies. Not only was this probably the worst of the mermaid books published this year, it also didn't really do the mermaid thing so well. The main characters both had legs, and the alleged mermaid sea witch was never underwater. There wasn't a whole lot of fantastical elements to the story anyway, but I wouldn't consider it a legitemate mermaid book.

Mermaid News Roundup!

Hi everyone! It's been a while since we've posted new content, seeing as Garrett's moving and I've just started public school, but here's some stuff that's been going on in the mermaid world!


-The new H20 spin-off has been re-named to The Secret of Mako Island. This is the third name the show has been given, and might be one that adds a more unisex marketing to the show, seeing as it centers on not only three mermaids, but a merman. Or a merdude, if you prefer a less fruity title.

-Speaking of H20, all three seasons are now getting a U.S. DVD release! This is probably in conjunction with the new spin-off coming out soon, which might mean that they've secured U.S. broadcasting rights for the show as well.

-Since summer has now been drawn to a close, most of this year's mermaid books are now released! The late bloomer of the bunch, Monstrous Beauty, is now on bookstore shelves, and from what I've read on Goodreads reviews, it's absolutely stunning.

-Ariel has still not been added to Once Upon A Time, although fans are thinking that she'll pop up in the latter half of the season, hence why she has not been cast yet.


That's about for the news. I leave you with this.

Who else would watch this?



-Randi

Rumor: Yuyi the Mermaid May Be Featured In Lady Gaga's Revamped Tour

It was a pleasant surprise last year when Lady Gaga revealed that she had created a mermaid alter ego for the video for her fourth single from Born This Way, You & I. Mermaid fans all over the world were watching eagerly for the video to premiere. Mother Monster even performed in the tail a few times, as well as featuring Yuyi in one of her Haus Of U fashion films, made to accompany You & I. 

This year, Gaga has completed the first leg of her Born This Way Ball tour to much acclaim, and is now on a break and reportedly revamping the tour, something she has done with her previous tours. Rumors have included video interludes, expanded set-list for the new material, and most promisingly for us mermaid fans, the return of Yuyi!

While nothing has been confirmed, there is a good chance that Yuyi will be included in at least a video interlude or set piece, if not a performance.

I know quite a few of our readers are Gaga fans, and I would be happy to hear anyone's reactions to this latest Yuyi news!

-Randi

Forever by Ashley L. Knight RELEASED

Look what slipped past our radar! Ashley L Knight's finale' to her gorgeous and romantic "Fins" series has been unleashed!
We haven't been in touch with Ashley in a while, so we kind of maybe sort of forgot that this was coming out so soon!
                                                   



                                     
Here's the Goodreads synopsis:
Her powers as The Link mastered, Morgan begins her marriage to Thayde with all the high hopes and expectations of any new bride. But happily ever after is just a phrase and her idyllic life is quickly interrupted by terrifying creatures, inconsolable loss and relentless adversaries. Forced to decide the fate of the entire merpeople species, Morgan must make the ultimate choice. Everything she has learned has brought her to this point, but is it worth sacrificing everything for everyone?

Welcome to the finale of The FINS Trilogy.

Forever is available on Amazon for e-readers. There are no reviews on the book yet, and I myself have yet to read it, but if you want to be the first, we'd be glad to hear your reactions!

Are you looking forward to the final chapter of trilogy? 

-Randi

New Q&A with Zoraida Cordova!

Zoriada Crodova, author of the Vicious Deep, a favorite here on the blog, has posted a new Q&A on their youtube account. She talks about the mythology in her books, being published, life's deep questions, etc.

Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7meg2YsVejI&feature=plcp

AND THE SAVAGE BLUE HAS A COVER BY THE WAY! New post for that later.

Anyway, I absolutely loved The Vicious Deep and I'm excited to see a sequel already in the works.

Thoughts?

-Randi 

The Handy-Dandy Reference Guide For All Things Mermaid

Today in Barnes & Noble, I was looking through the Mythology section and, almost hidden away among huge, thick books of fairy tales and myths, was a small, bright blue book with the word MERMAIDS stamped across the spine. Naturally, I picked it up, sat down, and started flipping pages. Here's the synopsis courtesy of Goodreads: The allure and mystery of mermaids has taken hold of our psyche for ages. From the Irish merrows who come on land to search for human husbands to the fake Fiji Mermaid made popular by P.T Barnum, these sea maidens (and sometimes men) can be found in folklore and mythology from every tradition in the world. Inside this captivating collection, complete with beautiful illustrations throughout, you'll discover the myths surrounding these enigmatic beings, explore the common symbols associated with them, and learn tales of merfolk from around the world. Dive into Mermaids and get swept away! Mermaids by Skye Alexander is a wonderful reference guide for all things related to mermaids. Nearly every culture from every time period and the mermaid myths surrounding them is explored. Yeah, we get the Sirens and Selkies like we're used to, but we also get the Mami Wata, Finfolkeem, Rusalky, and Native American mermaids. From the very first mermaid, Atargatis, to the recent Disneyland ride Ariel's Undersea Adventure, mermaids in culture and legend are explored. The book is filled with old-fashioned artwork of mermaids, like the famous Waterhouse painting and similar designs. The book's also really cute, a small, compact shape that can easily be carried around. It's also a great tool for an author of mermaid books, as it provides myths and legends that most people don't know about. I'm definitely going to be buying it, and I think it's a perfect book for a mermaid fan. Amidst all those wonderful mermaid novels coming out, a book that allows you to actually look up the legends that inspired the merbooks we know and love is a welcome addition. Anyone interested in world mythology-specifically mermaids-will find this book a wonderful treasure. :) Will you guys be checking out Mermaids: The Myths, Legend, and Lore?

We're Here For You

I was looking back through the topics in the merbooks forum on goodreads, and found a rather old conversation about how some of the members had been bullied or looked down upon for loving mermaids.

I've heard similar stories throughout the year I've been involved in the mermaid community. And while mermaids are making a comeback in culture as of late, a lot of people still think that we're hanging on to the idea of Ariel longer than we should.

So if anyone who reads this blog feels alone, please know that we are always here for you. Just leave a comment on  post or e-mail me, or I'm sure Garrett would  be willing to talk as well. I think it's ridiculous the amount of incredulous stares and snippy comments I get about helping out with this blog, and nobody should ever feel alone or alienated by something they love.

You're always welcome to leave an e-mail address for us or join the group over on Goodreads so as to chat with us!

Seriously, we love you guys.

-Randi

Lies Beneath Review (WARNING: A few spoilers)

Lies Beneath is an fascinating look into the mermaid genre, something that is growing larger and larger as the year rolls on.

This one offers a respite from some of the more fluffier additions. It leans more towards Lost Voices, another excellent mer-novel.


One of the cool things about Lies Beneath is that it is one of the few mer-books to be narrated by a guy. It really works for the story. If it had been narrated by the main female protaganist, Lily, LB could have easily fallen into Twilight territory. Nice move, Ms. Brown.

I also enjoyed Calder's character development. I also enjoyed that even though the book is short, I personally still felt like there was enough time for his relationship with Lily to mature and his feelings and loyalties to change.

The middle passages of the book get a little tedious, but it's over pretty quick. I also would've liked a little more development to Calder's sisters and maybe even a little more on Lily. These are the only parts of the book that I felt were a little rushed.

I also enjoyed how the mer-side and human sides are dealt. For example, in some mer-books, transformation from human to sea creature is often painless. In Lies Beneath, it describes transformation as extremely physical and painful without being incredibly graphic or gory. I also thought the motives for murder and migration patterns were nice touch. Calder often faces the struggle of where the human side of him begins and ends, and the mythology of the mer-people in this book really aids that struggle to a fascinating conflict.

Perhaps the greatest feat of Lies Beneath is how some of the more disturbing content is handled so tastefully that you're able to stomach it. For example (And this is a spoiler so skip ahead to the next paragraph if you don't want to be spoiled), it's revealed later on in the book that one of Calder's adopted mermaid sisters is secretly in love with him. Calder handles it with class. Also, the sirens are all a little crazy anyway, so it softens the blow. And as I mentioned before, Calder is a serial killer, basically. And although he learns to let go of that part of him as the story draws to a close, he spends most of the book in that mindset.

If you like the darker side of mermaids, this one is definitely for you. I might even recommend it to those who are looking for an introduction to darker mermaids. Don't miss this one.

-Randi

H2O Spin-Off Given New Title/Cast Pictures

We reported earlier this year that a spin-off from the popular Australian mermaid show H20: Just Add Water, was going into production. Originally titled Mako: Island of Secrets, it's now been changed to Mako Mermaids.

Production started in early May, according to an Australian film site. However, a detail I didn't catch was that the show is mainly going to center around a trio of mermaids, Sirena, Nixie, and Lyla, while Zac, previously thought to be the male protagonist, looks to be taking more of a supporting role, but still crucial to the plot.


Actresses Lucy Fry, Ivy Latimer, and Amy Ruffle will be taking up the roles of Lyla, Nixie, and Sirena respectively with Chai Romruen playing Zac.

It's on contract for 22 episodes about 20 minutes each.

Here are pictures of Lyla, Nixie, Sirena, respectively (note that these aren't shots from the set, they're whatever picture I could find of the actor, so you'll at least know what you're in for).


Believe it or not, I couldn't find any legit picture of Chai floating around Google, but if anyone has any good souces, let me know and I'll edit the article to include them.
EDIT:
THIS JUST IN: Here is a shot from the set. No mermaid shots yet, but here you go:



What do you all think? I know there are massive amounts of H20 fans across the world, so this news is incredibly exciting. Comments are welcome!

-Randi

Is Ariel Out of Once Upon A Time?

Earlier this year we reported that the hit TV series, Once Upon A Time, was possibly working on a Little Mermaid reworking for the show. While the first season of the show has come and gone, the next season has just announced two other characters slated to air on the show.

The two characters announced, one Princess Anastasia and an original character named Magnolia, seem to have nothing to do with the Little Mermaid storyline we thought might happen. We literally only know the names of the characters, so we can't be sure. However, I personally am not holding my breath for an Ariel story-line.

Are you disappointed that the show isn't using the story? Thoughts are welcome in the comments.

-Randi

Randi's Vicious Deep Review!

I admittedly didn't think Garrett and I's Vicious Deep reviews would be so close together, but I actually got around to reading the book faster than I thought, so I hope you all don't mind!




It's been about a year since I found out about the Vicious Deep and it's finally here! I loved this book so much and really loved the unique take on the mermaid mythology and the cool location on land. Also, it's completely hilarious. I don't remember the last time I laughed so hard reading a book.

Tristian reminds me a lot of Tony Stark, all that wit and erm, good looks if you will. It may just be because the Avengers opened the weekend I read this and it was totally awesome but they struck me as similar characters.

The secondary characters are also funny, real, and have their own quirks. The only one I thought was a little lacking was Layla, but there was nothing too bad going on there.

The setting on Coney Island is really vivid and becomes a character itself in the story. You can really visualize it as you read. It fits the themes and really adds a lot to the story. It's been a while since I read a book where the location was so central to the story.

The mer mythology is unique, as is the narrator. I've never read a mer-book with a male narrator, and it's a nice change of pace. The mer-world is fascinating, borrowing equally from Greek mythology and of course The Little Mermaid.

I got a bit bored with all of the stuff on land, but the boredom never lasted very long. There's always something new coming in the Vicious Deep, and I think it will be even more fun to re-read later.

Altogether, four and a half stars and a looooooooooong wait until the sequel. Two thumbs up Zoraida!

-Randi

MerBook Review: The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova

The cover of The Vicious Deep tells you not to let it pull you under. Well, you'll want to do the opposite. Because I'm warning you: this book's just like the whirlpool Tristan encounters in the beginning; it sucks you right in and refuses to let go. The Vicious Deep is something I never expected to find: a guys' mermaid book. Well, maybe not exactly, more unisex, if anything. There's plenty of kisses and romance for the ladies, but there's also plenty of thrills, action, and fighting for the guys. TVD can be summed up in one word: FUN. From beginning to end, I laughed and gasped and kept flipping pages. Zoraida's writing style is quick and to-the-point, but also witty and hilarious. There were also many in-jokes that every Little Mermaid fan should pick up on. And if all that hasn't peaked your interest, pick up the book. There are several memorable scenes in the novel that will make you laugh, cry, and sit on the edge of your seat. One of my all-time favorite scenes that had me grinning from ear to ear was the bubble-gum scene. You'll understand. The world of TVD was fully developed too. We not only have traditional mermaids, but all kinds of paranormal creatures, from vampires to werewolves, to fey and shifters. There's a little something from everyone in the book. Probably my favorite thing of the novel was the voice: Tristan. Most mermaid books are from a female perspective, but getting the point of view of a teenage boy as he undergoes his transformation into a merman was funny as it was highly readable. The bathtub scene of Tristan's first transformation was incredibly hilarious. And the other characters! There are so many of them, and each of them so diverse that you won't want to leave their world. From Layla to Gwen, Thalia and Marty, each character felt so real and I didn't want to say goodbye. So if you want good ol' sea monster action, a classic summer love story, a magical trip under the sea, or a seriously creepy villain, dive into The Vicious Deep!

Spotlight: Just For Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

WARNING: Mild spoilers for the first and second books in this series are in the plot description for this third installment in the Fins series. Proceed with caution if you haven't read the second book.





The Fins series is the Princess Diaries of the mermaid world. Very fluffy and girly, but there is also a lot of heart and some depth to the stories. Lily and Quinn are adorable and I personally was giggling every other page. It's just a really cute series.

I myself have not finished the second book in the series yet, but this third one looks to be pretty darn interesting if I do say so myself!

The book will be published on July 3, 2012. Here is the Goodreads page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13019704-just-for-fins?a=5&origin=related_works


Are you guys excited?

-Randi

Wrecked by Anna Davies (Review)

Tomorrow is the release of Anna Davie's debut novel, Wrecked. I, however, have read the book, and am here to dish the dirt.

By the way, thanks to the Bailey Cove Library for lending me an ARC copy of the book they received!

                                                       
Here is the book's Goodreads page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12022733-wrecked

I definitely did not intend on reading this book, and honestly, I don't feel like I would've missed much.


First off, that cover would never pass any parent inspection. Bad move on the marketing. I know this book is for fourteen and up, but still.


Second, right down to character names and themes, this book mirrors Aimee Friedman's Sea Change in so many ways. Even the main character's first names are the same. I prefer Sea Change for sure.


The plot holes are gaping. For example, Miranda has a car and is allowed to go anywhere any time she wants. Why doesn't she just leave if she's so desperate? Or the fact the Christian is a stalker with good intentions, but still, Miranda doesn't know these intentions. Bella Swann type behavior.


Also, I got really tired of all the boring school type things. I don't understand why an author who could have such paranormal and exciting material on their hands would choose to focus on school or hospital visits to cardboard boyfriends.


Miranda is a truly annoying character, even though she does have some cause to be that way.


The writing reads like an outline to a book that could be potentially alright, but then you realize that this is probably the final version. There was a lot of telling instead of showing, and for once I feel like the book would've benefited from first person narrative instead of the third person it uses.


There is another annoying case of instalove here. I think it takes five days for Miranda and Christian to fall in love. It didn't even try to suspend my disbelief.


The incredible amount of bullying in this book makes no sense. So Miranda wrecks the boat that kills and injures some friends, but everybody knows it was an accident. Yet favorite teachers and former friends give her the cold shoulder at every instant. It doesn't makes sense, especially not in the Southern community the book is supposedly portraying. Believe me, I live in the south, and we employ the casserole dishes and the butter excessively when stuff like this happens.


Also, there's a lot of partying-is-normal attitude here. Sorry, it's not. I don't know any high schoolers who actually act like Miranda and her friends are depicted as in the beginning chapters.


Miranda's grandma is incredibly absent, and when she's not, she's incredibly annoying and inconsistent.


And I can safely say I don't know anything cool, quirky, or unique about any of these characters. The only thing we know about Miranda is that she was good at soccor. The only thing we know about Christian is that he loved Miranda. The only thing we know about Miranda's very absent little brother is nothing. It goes on and on.


The only thing I thought was unique was the idea of betwixtmen, and how for once we got the paranormal guy's narration, which added a half inch of depth to the story. That was the only part of this book that wasn't from Sea Change.


Altogether very skippable. If you want to proceed, do so with caution.




Thoughts? I'd love to hear them.




-Randi

SPOTLIGHT: The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova

Hey readers! More material for posts are starting to crop up, as well as books release dates, so the blog will start getting updated more often now.

Today, we're talking about the Vicious Deep, which is being released this Tuesday, May 1st!

Here's the link to the Goodreads page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12246929-the-vicious-deep

One thing that really sticks out to me about this book is that it has a male narrator, an un-usual situation in the mer-world. The only other mer-book I can think of where the main character narration is male has to be Anne Greenwood Brown's Lies Beneath, which is also slated for release this year, and has some good reviews.
I'm also looking forward to the Coney Island setting. I've never been anywhere near New York but every photo, movie scene, or book description of it is vivid and exciting.
The cover is also in the theme with the new Monstrous Beauty one, surprisingly gender neutral. Like Monstrous Beauty, it also had a more girly cover before making the switch. I do like this one however.


Are you guys looking forward to this one? I know I am!

-Randi

Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama Gets A New Cover!

Hey guys!
This week, Elizabeth Fama's upcoming mer-novel Monstrous Beauty  was revamped with a new cover!
Here it is!



(source: http://acrowesnest.blogspot.com/2012/04/cover-reveal-for-monstrous-beauty.html?showComment=1335476686534#c1944834503196460780)
Thanks to Zoraida for the tip!

While we were discussing the new cover on Goodreads, Garrett pointed out that this cover worked better than it's predecessor because it is a lot more gender neutral. The other cover was very feminine. This one would encourage more male readers possibly.
I also think that this one would pass a lot more parent inspection. While I'm not particularly sure if Monstrous Beauty is YA,  the last cover was definitely much sexier. This one is still sensual, but a little less in your face about it.
Which brings me to today's topic: Should mermaid covers be kept more gender neutral. Let's face it, most of the mermaid demographic is girls. But there are a few men out there who enjoy the same literature. Not all of the books are as girly as their covers let on for sure. For example, Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs featured a very pink/purple mermaid and tattoo, whereas the content contained a lot of action, and a lot of romance admittedly. Lost Voices' cover was very girly as well, and the content was very dark and not nearly as feminine as the cover let on.
What do you guys think?

-Randi

Spotlight: Breathless by Cole Gibson

                                                


Sorry for the lack of content lately guys! School has really been getting to both Garrett and me and we've been at a loss for posts. Luckily, school is almost out for the summer and I'm starting to get some new stuff together.







Anyway, onto our subject today: Cole Gibson's upcoming book, Breathless. Here's the Goodreads description.




Obituary-reading emo girl Edith Small is broken - the end result of forcing herself inside a mold that doesn't fit. All she wants is to conform to her strict sergeant stepfather's rules long enough to make it to graduation day.


But a boat accident threatens to unravel the life Edith has worked so hard to keep. After waking up in a hospital with a lacerated shoulder, Edith fakes amnesia. Because admitting she received her injuries from a blue-haired girl who breathes underwater is all the reason Sir needs to send Edith on the first bus to military school.
Safe at home, Edith struggles to put the nightmare behind her. But the mysterious creatures that live in the ocean aren't about to let her forget.
After meeting Bastin - a strange boy with silver hair and black eyes - on a secluded dock, Edith learns about the war raging undersea to end human existence. A war that Edith, unwittingly, has become the key to winning.




In a world where death is an ever-present shadow and motives are as dark as the bottom of the ocean, Edith must decide if her life is worth risking for a love that can't survive past the shore.








Sounds pretty interesting, right? Cole's other book, Katana, caught my eye a while back on Goodreads, and thought it looked really interesting, so I was really thrilled when I found out about Breathless. The cover is a little predictable, but pretty (there have been so many drowning girls on covers lately, for instance, the non-merbook The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer).










The book has actually already been released (where did the time go?) on March 21, 2012. If anyone of you have read it, tell me what you think in the comments!

SPOTLIGHT: Waking Storms by Sarah Porter

Lost Voices was one of my favorite merbooks to recently come out, so naturally, Waking Storms, it's sequel, was high on my to-read list. However, I managed to score an ARC of the book from my local library. I can now assure you guys, it was a-ma-zing.
I'll write a fuller review closer to the date, but I'll do the spotlighting business right now.



Do you need to read Lost Voices before Waking Storms are can you skip book 1? No. I actually had to read Lost Voices before I could fully understand what was going on in WS. It's almost mandatory to go back  on this one.
Are there any new characters? Yes, and they're pretty darn interesting.
Does it hold up to Lost Voices?  Yes. This is a bit slower admittedly, but it has so much payoff and excitement when that action does get going.


The ending will hit you out of nowhere, and there were literally moments where I was leaping up and down in my room in excitement and joy. Bookmark this series guys, it's amazing.

-Randi

REVIEW! Lucy by Kathryn Lasky (Daughters of the Sea #3)

(If you want to read a shorter review of the book by me, I'll link my Goodreads review at the end).


Kathryn Lasky's Daughters of the Sea series is consistently the best mermaid series for young adults. It has a certain feel to it that hasn't been mirrored anywhere else.
The best aspect of this installment in particular is the close attention to detail and research that Lasky has put into all three of the books. Book 1 focused on the servants, two on the a lighthouse keeper's daughter, and three on a preacher's daughter entering high society. All three settings were written so well, showing a lot of diversity on the author's part.
As far as characters, tons of new people are introduced in Lucy, and to be honest it gets quite confusing sometimes. But we also get to go back and visit the previous characters like Hannah and May, as well as the mysterious Aunt who may or may not be the focus of the next book.
If there is one thing to complain about, it's the pacing. I had a hard time initially getting through Hannah because the middle, while enjoyable, stretches out longer than it should. May didn't have that problem, but Lucy does however. It's literally the only think I can think of complaining about for this series.
Unlike a lot of sequels that have been released in young adult this year, stuff actually happens in Lucy. Whereas such promising series have fallen flat in the plot area recently (I'm looking at you Chemical Garden and Matched) Daughters of the Sea keeps going even if the plot points aren't incredibly action filled. Lots of the important bits in this particular book are woven with the complex high class setting.
This series is aimed more towards middle grade than young adult, but it's a sweet reprieve from all the over-the-top romance and faux complicated stories of the older young adult genre books. Definitely recommended.
(Here's my shortened and slightly less in depth review of the book on Goodreads)
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12246388-lucy

Thoughts?
-Randi

Never Let Me Go by Florence + The Machine

If you've stuck around this blog long enough, you know I'm totally in love with Florence + The Machine, a British rock/soul/alternative/magical woodland band, led by red headed goddess Florence Welch.
Their music is very reminiscent of the ocean and especially merpeople, and I've recommended it be used in mer-films many times,  but the band themselves had not put that imagery into their videos.
Anyway, the video for new single Never Let Me Go premiered on MSN yesterday (it'll be on youtube officially tomorrow morning. You can watch it here: http://video.uk.msn.com/watch/video/florence-and-the-machine-never-let-me-go-video-premiere/2t6mw8gg


Ok, so there's no mermaids in the video right? I was a bit disappointed with the video when it first premiered myself. But now that it's had some time to grow on me, I think the video might be a messed up retelling of The Little Mermaid, and I mean the original one and not the Disney one (both are cool though!).

Florence's character is the mermaid figure, while the boy (that's Jamie Campbell Bower by the way, best known for his role in Tim Burton's beloved remake of Sweeney Todd) is the human. The general idea is that Florence is some creature from the sea that can't stay on land too long, and randomly wanders into this skating rink  and there's a boy and they have a weird little romance, but her time runs out and she turns to sea foam, MUCH like the original Hans Christian Anderson telling of The Little Mermaid.
This is all fan speculation of course. The great thing about Florence + The Machine's music is that it can mean something different to every person who hears it. Never Let Me Go might be a song of hope and surrender to some, or a sad and sweet anthem of being lost.

Anyway, the song reflects beautifully on ocean themes and I think I'm starting to like the video a lot more.
What are your thoughts?

-Randi

Spotlight: Lucy (Daughters of the Sea #3)

Hey guys! Garrett and I have been at a loss for posts lately, but we finally have a small event we can write up....


The third book in Kathryn Lasky's Daughters of the Sea series is being published on March 1, and since that is coming up soon, I'd thought I'd do a little post on it, answer a few questions people have asked me about the series ect.                                                                      
Here's the synopsis from Goodreads:


A choice between love and survival . . .Lucy's family is excited to spend the summer in Bar Harbor, Maine. Her minister father is pleased to preside over such a prestigious congregation, and his social-climbing wife is ecstatic at the chance to find a rich husband for her daughter.Yet Lucy wants nothing to do with the Bar Harbor social scene; she's simply excited to spend the summer by the sea, watching the waves from her favorite spot on the cliff. Despite having never gone swimming, Lucy feels an intense connection to the ocean, and meets a handsome ship-builder who shows Lucy a world she's never known, yet somehow always longed for.However, her mother will stop at nothing to keep Lucy and the ship builder apart, even if it means throwing Lucy into the arms of a wealthy man with a dangerous secret. Can Lucy break free and embrace her destiny as a daughter of the sea? Or is she doomed to waste away in a gilded cage, slowly dying of a broken heart?




Alright, sounds pretty cool right? I've actually had more than a few people inbox me on Goodreads and ask some things about this particular series, so here are some things you should know before starting the book:






1. You should read the the books before it (Hannah and May respectively). May didn't particularly depend upon Hannah as far as plot details and such, but it was good to read them together.


2. This series is decidedly more middle grade than Young Adult, which is not a bad thing. I still liked them, but the writing is descriptive yet simple and there isn't a whole lot of complexity, but they are interesting. That might change with this installment however. May leaned more towards Young Adult than Hannah (there was a love interest, some family drama, whereas Hannah was firmly set in the middle grade).


3. It''s turn of the century historical fiction, which I personally loved. Mermaid books are either urban fantasy or set back in the ancient days of the Greeks, so this is a really fresh perspective on the legends and lore. Lasky is well researched in the era, and presents it very well for young and old readers.


4. This book is the set-up for the finale' due in the fourth book. While there haven't been a lot of details released about the last DOTS book (Ha! DOTS! That's cute!) we do know that it ultimately involves the sister's going home to the sea. I'm hoping to see more of that in this book.






What are y'all's thoughts? Looking forward to it? Happy reading :)






-Randi

Katy Perry The Mermaid

So, we've mentioned on the MerBlog before how Katy Perry and Lady Gaga were both donning mermaid outfits, and except for a few Twitter pics, we haven't really seen Katy Perry in all her finned glory. Now, as you can see from the picture to the right, Katy Perry's mermaid photo has finally been released into the world!
This was part of a photo shoot, not a music video as I originally thought. I really love the mixture in this picture: we have the overall pop-star diva look, mixed with the more cotton-candy aspects of mermaid lore. Love the pink hair, too!
Katy Perry makes a really awesome mermaid, I have to say. So, between Lady Gaga's Yuyi and Katy Perry's unnamed mermaid, who do you think made a better sultry sea vixen?

Between The Sea And The Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore (Review)

I started my awesome Merbooks challenge this year with this book. If you haven't started yours yet, get going! It's going to be fantastic!

Here's the synopsis of the book from Goodreads before I start.

For as long as Esmerine can remember, she has longed to join her older sister, Dosinia, as a siren--the highest calling a mermaid can have. When Dosinia runs away to the mainland, Esmerine is sent to retrieve her. Using magic to transform her tail into legs, she makes her way unsteadily to the capital city. There she comes upon a friend she hasn't seen since childhood--a dashing young man named Alander, who belongs to a winged race of people. As Esmerine and Alander band together to search for Dosinia, they rekindle a friendship . . . and ignite the emotions for a love so great, it cannot be bound by sea, land, or air.

I had a lot of really high expectations for this book, and sad to say, a lot of them didn't come true.

1. There's no real danger in the story, besides losing their sire belt *coughcoughvirginitycoughcough*. Sure, it hurts to walk on land. But there is no driving danger for the mermaids or the winged people, which puts little drive into the plot.
2.Esmerine is hopelessly boring. And so is everyone else in the story. I connected with none of the characters and none of them even felt the slightest bit real.
3. The book wasn't intricate and felt more aimed at middle grade readers, save for a lot of sexual references (which were annoying and ugly). There was no pizzazz.
4.The Mermaids eat fish. I hate to say this, because I know a lot of fish eat other fish (insert Social  Network references here) but this seemed a bit like cannibalism to me. And on a similar note, and this is a really small nitpick, but the food is all human stuff and not magical :(
5. The winged/finned romance is....well pointless. I didn't feel any sparks, and it certainly wasn't very fun to read about ALL THE TIME. This is where a lot of Young Adult authors start to lose me. They concentrate way too much on the romance of it all.
But despite a lot of flaws, I still managed to enjoy bits and pieces of the book. It referenced some of the original mermaid myths. But altogether, it's pretty skip-able.

Get Unleashed...

Today the finalized cover for Tempest Unleashed, the 2012 sequel to last year's fin-tastic Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs, was officially debuted on Tracy's blog. Here's the cover:

Below is the synopsis. If you haven't read the first book yet, read at your own risk, because minor spoilers may be lurking below.
Tempest Maguire is happy with her decision to embrace her mermaid nature and live among her mother’s clan within the ocean’s depths. Even though training to one day ascend the throne for the aging mermaid queen is rigorous, she finds refuge in the arms of Kona, the selkie who first opened her up to her mermaid side. But when word comes that one of her brothers has been gravely injured on land, Tempest immediately rushes to his side—which also brings her back to her old flame, Mark. And in her absence, a deadly battle begins raging at the hands of Tempest’s old nemesis, the sea witch Tiamat. As the dangerous war erupts, Tempest’s two loves—Kona and Mark, sea and land—will collide for the first time, both to protect her and to force her to choose.
What do you guys think? Myself, I'm uber-excited! I've been waiting for this book for quite some time. Plus, I think this one's got a lot more mermaid action than the previous. As much as I love selkies, I prefer mermaids a whole lot more.
So, are you guys ready to be Unleashed?

H2O: Just Add Water Spin-Off Series In The Works?

Usually, when there's rumors about things going on in the H2O world, I ignore them, because it's usually just rumors. Being that I don't even live in the country where the show is filmed, it makes it even more difficult to keep up with news. But Wikipedia now features a small tidbit of information that made me wonder if it was legit or not. Of course, Wikipedia's usually wrong, but guess what? Not this time! The Wikipedia article linked back to an actual site of upcoming Australian productions, and it turns out that the H2O spinoff is listed as one of them! Read the decription of this new show, Mako: Island of Secrets, below:

When 15-year-old Zac goes camping on Mako Island, he has no idea his every move is being monitored by real-life mermaids Sirena, Nixie and Lyla, whose job it is to ward off trespassers. When he comes into contact with the magical waters of the Moon Pool on the night of a full moon, Zac is given a taste of Mako’s powers, waking the next day to discover he
has been granted fin-like feet and the power to control water… causing all sorts of trouble for Sirena, Nixie and Lyla.

So it looks like the new show is going to feature a merman. That's an interesting change, because so far only mermaids have been featured in H2O. The show is scheduled for release in late 2012.

What do you guys think? Are you excited for a new H2O series?

Are You Up For A Challenge?

It's a new year, and I'm super-excited about it. Why? Because this year is filled with mermaid books galore, and I'm ready for some heavy reading! But not only am I excited for all these mermaid books, I'm also really looking forward to the first ever MerBooks Reading Challenge.
For those aware of this blog's origins, it began as a group for mermaid-book lovers on the social networking site Goodreads. And for the first time since the group's launch, we're holding a year-long reading challenge. In a nutshell (read: seashell), you have a year to read ten mermaid books. Doesn't seem too hard, right?
If you want to join in on the fun, go here: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/33768._O_MERBOOKS_The_Group_For_All_Things_Mermaid_O_
It's free to join Goodreads, and you'll be among the first to learn about upcoming mermaid books, talk with authors, and talk about all things mermaid!
Hope to see you there!