Thursday, February 16, 2012

Book Review: Tempest Rising



Tempest Rising

by Tracy Deebs
Series: Tempest #1
Release date: 10th May, 2011
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Pages: 352 (hardback copy bought by me)
Next book: Tempest Unleashed (5th June, 2012)

Summary from Goodreads:

Tempest Maguire wants nothing more than to surf the killer waves near her California home, continue her steady relationship with her boyfriend, Mark and take care of her brothers and surfer dad. But Tempest is half mermaid and as her seventeenth birthday approaches, she will have to decide whether to remain on land or give herself to the ocean like her mother.
The pull of the water becomes as insistent as her attraction to Kona, a gorgeous surfer whose uncanny abilities hint at an otherworldly identity as well. And when Tempest does finally give in to the water's temptation and enters a fantastical underwater world, she finds that a larger destiny awaits her-and that the entire ocean's future hangs in the balance.

Review By Alaiel Kreuz:

Tempest surely makes honor to her name. A vivid girl full of energy, full of love for the sea and for surfing. A passion she shares with her boyfriend Mark and her friends every day at 5am, going out with them, surfboard in hand, ready to conquer the waves.
Ready to show her father, her brothers and herself that she could live between the land and the sea. That she wasn't like her mother. That in her seventeenth birthday she was going to stay human, to stay with her family. That no matter what she would never become mermaid.

But like her mother tried to tell her in the letter she left for her, that decision would be really difficult to make.

And when nightmares start to circle her making Tempest remember a luring force that tried to take her deep into the sea when she was a child she begins to wonder if her decision could affect other people. Maybe her destiny wasn't her own after all.

But she wasn't ready to leave Mark behind, her hopes or her dreams of a human live. At least not until a new guy arrived to the beach. His name was Kona and she was sure that just like her he was special... merman special maybe? She didn't know but there was something that drag her close to him.

It was that something that drove her inside the sea, looking for him after he disappeared with a deathly injure. And it was then that her destiny began to unravel.

Personal opinion:
Before beginning with the book I have to say I completely love this cover and it was one of the main reasons I bought the book. Yes, pretty covers lure me like candies lure kids. Besides, it looks so pretty in my bookshelf!

And now, going back to the plot: I loved it. A lot. Despite the fact that Tempest tries to run away from her destiny a lot I understand that for her the situation wasn't easy. Her mother's departure leaving her dad, her brothers and herself alone was too much to forgive so quickly. And in fact, Tempest was happy with her human life... the thought of leaving everything behind was overwhelming.

Her fears were always understandable, her doubts between Kona and Mark also very nice developed. I mean, who wouldn't be in love with both boys? First we have Mark, her boyfriend and friend with whom she shared this love for the ocean and surfing. He is protective, sexy, supportive and he really loves her, even if she has been very cryptic about her situation with the whole mermaid thing.
And then we have Kona, gorgeous, handsome and amazing Kona who, just like her, hides something beneath that cool surface. With him Tempest feels a connection right away and even if she can't explain it she knows it means something. And the way his eyes looks always at her, with so much intensity and so much longing that it's a miracle she doesn't melt every time they are together.

The battle scenes were also well developed but I was expecting more... danger, you know? Yes, some parts were really sad and heartbreaking, that I can assure you, but a little bit more of tension could be very useful.
And the fact that there's a second book coming out in June, although a little far away, makes me supper happy because I could use some more Kona, some more intrigue and a few more answers about Tempest's destiny.

Overall a great mermaid book with a great plot, lovely characters and an ending that will make you want more.

Alaiel's Rating:



If you really liked it, you can order it here:

4 comments:

  1. I buy books on the cover alone all the time haha. I've been wondering if this one was good I saw book 2 is on Netgalley by the way. And I may just have to give this one a go!!

    Giselle
    Xpresso Reads

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great review! Read this one myself just a week or so ago! Was trying to get Tempest Rising from Netgalley, but I am still waiting! It's been like 2 weeks...or is it almost 3???

    Anyway, that's what prompted me to read it asap! And I did enjoy it as well!

    ReplyDelete
  3. @Giselle: Good to know I'm not the only one who buys books just by looking at the covers, hahaha. What can I say? Pretty covers are addictive!

    @Jessica: I know, right?! I've asked for Tempest Unleashed too a couple of weeks ago but I haven't receive an answer yet... sigh... And I'm glad you liked my review, thanks! :D

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Alaiel!
    I have tagged you! Hop on over to check it out!

    http://howlingturtle-pdx.blogspot.com/2012/02/tag.html

    ReplyDelete

Something to share? (cheese would be awesome!) I love to read your comments :]