Book: Forbidden Sea
Tagline: "Beneath the waves lies a terrible beauty..."
Pages: 296 (ARC paperback)
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication date: July 1, 2010 (Today)
Genre: Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | Fairy Tale | Sea Creatures
My summary: While trying to save her little sister during a storm, Adrianne encounters a mermaid determined to lure her into the depths of the ocean. Now Adrianne has been marked for death by the mermaid and all the villagers know, there is no saving a marked soul.
My say: Forbidden Sea is like an old-fashioned fairy tale. Sure there is magic, but the true story is in the obstacles the characters face and the lessons they learn along the way. While some fairy tales are frightening, others feature heroines who would rather be damsels-in-distress than mistresses of their own future. The Forbidden Sea rises above that by artfully combining mystery, folklore, and valor.Adrianne is not an ugly duckling turned beautiful. She is plain girl who learns to value what lies inside her above physical beauty. She faces harsh realities and still remains kind, compassionate, strong, and true. In Adrianne, Sheila Nielson has created the kind of strong young woman anyone can look up to.
My recommendation: If you enjoy Shannon Hale's re-imagined fairy tales, try Sheila A. Nielson.
My star rating: 4 out of 5 stars; I really enjoyed this story of forgiveness, overcoming your past, and seeing what is behind the skin.
My kiddie-o-meter: Forbidden Sea is tween safe. There is no foul language, sex, etc. Poverty and class distinctions are discussed.
My contest: Want to win my gently used ARC paperback? If you are a resident of the US or Canada, comment with your email address below. A winner will be announced August 9th.
My cover thoughts: I just love this cover. It is haunting, eerie, and accurately portrays the adversary Adrianne faces. I only wish her hair was lighter.
My final say: I kind of like the mean mermaid take. It breaks the mold.
Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com
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Thank you Sheila for making this review and contest possible.
Enter me please :)
ReplyDeletecariblogs(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh wow I *love* the cover!!
ReplyDeleteThe story looks absolutely amazing, thanks for reviewing it!!
I live in the UK, I can't enter the contest :(
Lovely review! I have this on my tbr list and I'd love a chance to win =)
ReplyDeletemishtakes AT gmail DOT com
Caroline: Sorry darling! For some crazy reason it cost a fortune to ship to the UK. But have you entered my international blog birthday contest?
ReplyDeleteI love mermaid stories and this one sounds good! Please enter me :)
ReplyDeleteksg_amg(at)yahoo.com
Sounds good, I'd like to be included! tWarner419@aol.com
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I like that you mentioned it was safe for tweens, which mean it's a must for my classroom library! Mermaids seems to be making a come back! Thanks for giving away your ARC and please enter me. :) Chris327@mac.com
ReplyDeleteI would love to win, this is on my HUGE wish list!
ReplyDeletefreda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
I would love to win a copy. Thanks.
ReplyDeletehenderkd(at)email(dot)sc(dot)edu
I would love to win this book!
ReplyDeletetwilightforever.edward(at)gmail(dot)ckm
I love Shannon Hale's books, so I'll definitely check this one out too.
ReplyDeleteadventureinbooks at gmail dot com
I'm really loving all these mermaid books coming out this year. Forbidden Sea sounds like a wonderful book.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway, Juju. :D
I'd love to be entered.
justaiv09(at)gmail(dot)com
I will add this to my possible mood reading, i'm intrigued.
ReplyDeleteHey! Yeah, I'd like to win this book. Count me in babe!
ReplyDeleteforevereading at gmail dot com
AW! You know how jealous I am, right? Its cover is beautifully creepy and I love it. I'll be looking forward to have it. :) Kind review!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a beautiful story! I love tales and such.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me too! (infiniteshelf at gmail dot com)
We all have to overcome our past, and find what is behind the skin -So yes!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me to win:)
ReplyDeletebchild5@aol.com
oh i do have a soft spot for fairy tales.
ReplyDeletei would love to be entered.
(toothybooks at gmail dot com)
I'd love to win this book! Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeletelarafacit@hotmail.com
Love the idea of a "mean mermaid". It's nice to have something fresh and different than the normal "oh-so-beautiful" tale that's told so often. Wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteNot an entry...my TBR pile is too out of control!
Oh, I'd love this book! Enter me please.
ReplyDeletemsdarcy22@aol.com
This book sounds wonderful. please enter me.
ReplyDeletecrazyhippo37@aol.com
Kelsy
No need to enter me. Just wanted to say lovely review :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhoa, I love the sound of this! The book sounds gorgeous, and I love how there's a bit of mystery involved. Awesome review!
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot of good things about this book. I'd love to be entered.
ReplyDeletechickenherder@hotmail.com
Thanks for the giveaway!!
This looks like a good one. I really enjoyed your review! Lorielle11@gmail.com thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this!
ReplyDeletethrouthehaze at gmail dot com
great review *not an entry*
ReplyDeleteYou are really a talented book reviewer. I hope this is your full-time job :)
ReplyDeleteAlso adore that cover!!
I would love to read this book, it sounds like a story I would really enjoy.
ReplyDeleteseriousreader at live dot com
Another new to me author!! This one sounds great - please enter me.
ReplyDeleteI follow on gfc
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
Great review! I’d love to enter :)
ReplyDeleteTheFictionEnthusiast@live.com
Great review! I love the way you do your reviews. I am going to have to get this one!
ReplyDeleteI like your review and can't wait to read it. Please enter me in the contest! I'm buying one copy of the book today, but I really want to have another one so I can give a copy to my sister. This would help so much!
ReplyDeleteNmcdougal@gmail.com
Nikki: Yah :D Will do :)
ReplyDeleteJana: Ahhh thanks darling! :)
Passport: You're the sweetest :) It's not but that sounds dreamy!
Jenny: Thanks sweet pea :)
1stdaughter: Right? I couldn't agree more :)
So how big is your pile? ;)
Toothy: Me too ;)
Maya: Amen girl!
Adriana: Me too! I'm just crazy about sea creatures. :)
Christina: Whoot! I feel so honored :) Please let me know what you think.
I really enjoyed this one too! Glad you liked it. I agree that the mean mermaid take added to the story.
ReplyDeleteRe-posted your contest at: http://contests-freebies.blogspot.com/2010/07/win-forbidden-sea-at-tales-of-whimsy.html
ReplyDelete(this is not an entry)
Cherry darling: I know I've said this already however: YOU ROCK :D
ReplyDeletepretty cover! pretty precious tiara ;-D
ReplyDeletevvb32 at yahoo.com
Boy, this one sounds interesting! I haven't heard of it though. Great review!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an excellent book hun! Thank you for this contest!
ReplyDeletejessicatapia_afuel07(at)hotmail(dot)com
I LIKE the sound of this one. And the cbook cover is lovely too. Please count me in. I'd love to win a book to take my mind off the latest stresses. . . :)
ReplyDeleteI think the cover is a wee bit scary, but I'd love to read it!
ReplyDeletemeredithfl at gmail dot com
Sounds like an awesome book! I love Shannon Hale's books so I'll take your word for it and try this one. I'd love to enter the contest. My email address is karen.may.ai@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteCount me in it looks like a good book.
ReplyDeletesasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com
Thanks for the contest!!
ReplyDeletenedped@verizon.net
This sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteSarah.n.fisk (at) gmail (dot) com
I also added this to the Book Giveaways Tumblr: http://bookgiveaways.tumblr.com/
Sounds like a fun read.
ReplyDeletealterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/
mean mermaids! who says they all have to be nice, after all? please enter me in the contest....
ReplyDeletek_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com
Sounds like a great book. Please enter me in contest. Thank you. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read. Count me in.
ReplyDeletejuliecookies(at)gmail.com
Please enter me!
ReplyDeletecrazypplrok@gmail.com
Hmm, I always love a fairytale re-telling but it's been awhile since the mermaids were the bad guys for me.
ReplyDeleteLadytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com
This book sounds SOO good. Definitely count me in!
ReplyDeletevdigregorio [AT] rogers [DOT] com
sounds great!
ReplyDeletesnyde30@mail.lcc.edu
Thanks!
Can't believe I missed this post. I looked in your sidebar and saw this, thankfully I checked instead of assuming I'd entered already. :P
ReplyDeleteThanks for this contest!
carabee14@gmail.com
I would love to be entered. :)
ReplyDeletemisusedinnocence@aol.com
***Please note: This contest is closed. The winner was announced 8/9/10: (http://www.talesofwhimsy.com/2010/08/contest-winners-mermaid-and-psychic.html)
ReplyDeleteThank you for entering. Please stay tuned and continue to check my right hand sidebar for more upcoming contests.***