Tempest Rising - Book Review

Title ~ Tempest Rising
Series ~ Single Title
Author ~ Tracy Deebs
Release Date ~ May 10, 2011
Age Group ~ Young Adult
Publisher ~ Walker Books for Young Readers
Source ~ a Real Bookstore

GOODREADS SUMMARY

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 Kai, 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

Get your feet wet.

I have been reading mermaid books as far back as I can remember. Those early books portrayed mermaids as happy-go-lucky fairies who lived in the ocean with friendly sea horses and singing fish. In the young adult realm, mermaids take on a more serious tone with stories of courage, strength, betrayal, and secrets. Sweet!

Tempest has come to a crossroads in her life where she must make the ultimate choice. She can either continue living on land as a human or choose to live in the ocean as a mermaid. Big decision for a teen? I’ll say.

The decision is emotional for Tempest as she struggles to come to terms with the finality of her choice and how it will affect the rest of her family. Tempest is hurt that her mother abandoned her family for the pull of the ocean and she tries to resist the ocean’s call. The back-story of Tempest’s mother adds another layer to the decision at hand. I really like how family history is front and center in Tempest’s decision.

If that weren’t enough, Tempest is also torn between the affections of two very different boys. Mark is a good guy and he is Tempest’s off-and-on boyfriend. I got the feeling that Tempest took Mark for granted at times. Enter Kai, the cute surfer who is keeping a secret from Tempest. I liked both guys, but one was clearly a better choice in the end.

My gosh, Tracy Deebs works magic with words and creates the most magical underwater world. There are vibrant colors, beautiful aquatic plants, and magnificent dwellings. There are other paranormal creatures in the deep besides mermaids. Sea witches and selkies, humans that turn into seals, live there too.

Tempest Rising is a spectacular summer read. Come on in, the water’s perfect!

RATING

5 Loved

COVER COMMENTS

This cover is gorgeous! Tempest is mermaid material for sure. Her hair, scales, and the fabulous markings on her back. The background looks just like the ocean too.