-  Beautiful Australian setting

I'm still not sure what possessed me to take this book out of the library, but I actually liked it.  It is one of those books that you can't put down because there are a thousand ways the book could end and it doesn't look like the main character will get their happy ending.  It's also a book that once you finish it you'll be staring at the wall thinking for a few hours.  It made me think about how my life isn't so bad, how I shouldn't take my family for granted, how some people are really sick, etc.  While Ty, the kidnapper, is obviously mentally ill, he is also really relatble.  Which is kind of scary.  No one wants to sympathize with a kidnapper.  Yet after hearing about his horrible childhood and why he kidnapped Gemma it makes you think...maybe his intentions were good.  Although I did feel that Ty's character was a little inconsistent.  He's really scary at the beginning having outbursts, but then towards the end he's tamer.  Gemma is really consistent.  She tries to escape as many times as she can.  Me? I think I'd try to think up all those episodes of Law and Order I've watched and make a plan instead of doing something impulsive.  But I do give her props for never giving up.  

One of the main things in books that I complain about is that I hate when they aren't realistic.  I think that this book is borderline unrealistic.  I mean, airports are really secure now.  I really doubt a TSA worker would just accept that Gemma was "drunk" when she's 16 and couldn't even stand up or speak.  Even if they did think she was drunk I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have allowed her to go on the plane.  Also, Ty's house that he built seems a little far fetched.  He set up pipes for water to get to the house from a stream.  There's no electricity yet either.  I also find it weird that this deranged 20 yr old wouldn't have tried anything on Gemma.  He thinks she's beautiful and he's kidnapped her.  I've been to college...let's just say Ty's behavior, while strangely honorable, is unreal for his age.  And finally, I think if someone drugged me, took me to a place with giant spiders, no indoor plumbing or real food or air conditioning, and expected me to live there forever, I really don't think I'd ever have feelings for them no matter how bad their childhood was.  Just sayin.  I may feel pity for them, but I wouldn't want to date them.

Also, the ending really bothered me.  I wanted a definite answer, but the author kind of left it up to the reader to make assumptions.  I hate when books do that!  Even though I have a lot problems with this book I still really liked it.  I actually read it in about a day if that's any indication.  The letter format that it's written in packs more emotion into every line making it impossible to put down.

“And it's hard to hate someone once you understand them.”
― Lucy Christopher, Stolen: A Letter to My Captor 

“It sounded weird to hear you talk so much; normally you only said a few words at a time. I'd never imagined that you'd have a story, too. Until that moment, you were just the kidnapper. You didn't have reasons for anything. You were stupid and evil and mentally ill. That was all. When you started talking, you started changing.”
― Lucy Christopher, Stolen: A Letter to My Captor 

 

Parajunkee & Alison Can Read.  

I go through phases where I want to read one genre more than others.  One week I'll be craving contemporary then the next week I'll want action and adventure.  

If I'm sad I usually try to read a contemp because they make me smile and they have happy endings.  If I'm happy I might try something adventurous where you explore a new world.  

But most of the time I just grab whatever is in my to be read basket (yes, I'm that organized/OCD) and see what cover/summary appeals to me most in the moment.  

Leave a link to your F&F and I'll stop by =)

   


While you're here don't forget to stop by my review Of Poseidon.  
I loved it and have been recommending it to all my friends!

-  I want to buy it!

The first page of this had me laughing right away.  It begins with Emma running straight into a hot guy's abs on the beach.  I think it's the most entertaining opening of a book I've read in awhile.  I was afraid the humor would fizzle out as the book progressed, but it didn't.  I was laughing out loud the whole way through.  Emma's humor was somewhat similar to Sophie from Hex Hall, but not as snarky.  I especially loved the way Emma and Galen interacted and Toraf and Rayna interacted.  I love when people flirt/banter in books.  Emma's stubborn and deliberately does what Galen tells her not to.  That was kind of annoying, but I know I'd do the same thing if I were her.  Galen is what seems to be typical now: over protective, obsessive, and hot.  But it wasn't like Edward Cullen syndrome.  He actually had good reasons to want to protect and be obsessed with her so it was more endearing than annoying.  Toraf is goofy and he was similar to Roar in Under the Never Sky.  He's kind of like a big brother to Emma and he is the comic relief.  Rayna really bothered me at first, but she's just misunderstood.  


This was my first mermaid book so I had been really skeptical going into it.  I'm glad I put those worries aside because it was actually a whole new world to dive into (pun intended).  I wish we could have seen Galen's home a little more, but I'm sure that'll come in book two.  It definitely made me open to reading other mermaid books in the future.


The plot is pretty fast paced.  I feel like so much happened in such a small book.  It didn't feel rushed though.  It actually kept my attention the whole time (read it in two days).  The romance in all characters builds slowly which you know I always appreciate.  And the ending, while not a huge cliffhanger, was enough to make me so mad that the second book isn't out yet.  I need to know what happens!  


I got this one out of the library for my goodreads group book of the month.  I'm planning on buying it soon because I know I'll want to reread it.  I never usually buy books I've already gotten from the library.  I think the only other book I've done that with is Divergent.  So that's saying a lot!  I recommend this one to everyone.  Go get it now!