Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Author: Derrolyn Anderson
Summary: Just when things seem to be all figured out, Marina discovers that there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes than she ever imagined. When a terrible accident exposes her secret, she discovers that her whole life has been a lie and has to cope with more than one kind of betrayal. A dangerous enemy arrives on the scene, putting her bravery to the test and forcing her to use all of her newfound talents to protect her family.
Can good win out over evil? Will true love triumph over jealousy?
My Review: In the second novel, we continue with Marina’s adventures, but understand much has changed since then. “All of these impossibly crazy events happened when my boyfriend’s father Dutch was lost at seas in a terrible storm. The Mermaids had been summoning me, and I gave myself up to them in exchange for Dutch’s life.” Yet soon after, Marina learns of her ability to transform into a Mermaid herself, and was given the opportunity to choose immortality as a sea creature, or live out her remanding days as a human. What would seem like an easy decision, the desire to remain with your family and friends, begins to take its toll on Marina.
She is changing, both physically and mentally. In what is perceived to be an internal battle against her own bodies natural desire to be in the sea, Marina allows herself to act out in attempt to quell her strong urges. She begins to surf, quite frequently. With a rapid progression of ability, she begins to demonstrate a professional skill level. Yet it is a dangerous release, as she plays against her inner turmoils. Each time she surfs, her body become unsatisfied, wanting more and demanding more. She allows Lorelei, her mermaid sister, to bring her to perilous and dangerous conditions.
In addition, she finds that she has a strong inclination to paint the ocean, almost metaphorically a daily reminder of her battling emotions. But, as her skill level with surfing became enhanced, so does her skill level to paint, allowing her to sell her work as art.
There are significant changes within Marina that manifest in the people around her as well. Muselike, she can inspire and she can anger those who are near. This unfortunately, also continues to put Marina in harms way when she meets unsavory individuals while surfing.
With all the changes that are happening around her, it becomes difficult for Marina to maintain a healthy and truthful relationship with Ethan. Simultaneously, her relationship with her Aunt Evie comes into question as she comes to learn more about her.
Though Marina has to struggle with maintaining her human side, Ethan serves to ground her, to keep her from slipping completely into the sea. And as if this was not enough for our two young lovers, there are other people out there who know of Marina’s secret and plot to kidnap her for their own purposes.
To be honest, I still hold the first book as my favorite because it signifies a simpler time in Marina’s life even though it is only months prior. There is something about a young woman’s discovery of herself, watching her come into her own. Not to mention, I adore first loves.
In this story, it seems that Marina acts irrational a good half of the book and though I wanted to throw my iPad across the room, an action that would later cause me undue stress, I began to come to terms with the notion that Marina cannot control her behavior. The feral side of her feels like it’s winning and I felt like Ethan’s constant struggle to keep Marina safe, is ultimately what keeps her human as well. He is the yin, to her yang, sort of speak.
But as frustrated as I became with Marina, I had to know that she was all right. To see if she could recognize the issues that she had unknowingly caused, and would allow the people that meant to keep her safe, safe.
Ironically, in the end it was Ethan that brought me back to the story. It was because of his love for her, that kept me satisfied in those final pages. Understanding that there may be a third book, I can only hope to see these two characters find peace in a tumultuous sea and maybe even get married along the way.
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