Very different plot compared to the other mermaid books I've read, but I found Tempest herself kind of weak and she didn't actually achieve anything herself.. I know she's only 17 and thrown into all of this with no knowledge or what's going on, but other female leads in other series have adapted much better. ( )

There was no one thing that I particularly DISLIKED in this book, but I was just reeeally bored while reading it, so I skipped to the end and read the last two chapters.

I don't think I missed out on anything. ( )

Tempest Rising was oddly thrilling for a book about mermaids. I must confess that this is the first time i have read about a mermaid since the little mermaid picture book I had as a kid. it was bold, sassy and just the right amount of dark.
Which is why it gets four out of five emerald tails. ( )

Actual rating: 3.5 stars.

I actually liked this more than I thought I would. Sure, it includes all the paranormal romance tropes done in the usual ways, it lags in the middle, and it has a few annoying bits (for example, halfway through the book, I swore that if Tempest described her board-short-wearing surfer dad ONE MORE TIME as a surprisingly young-looking guy who dresses like her friends instead of a middle-aged dude, I was going to rip the book apart), but it's competently written and has an appealing protagonist with an actual hard choice to make. Okay, sure, she's a little typical of her genre, too, but she actually saves herself from being killed ON HER OWN, without using special powers, AND she also saves her (ridiculous, cliched) One True Love, Kai. (If you're reading this review and are mad because I just spoiled you about who she's going to end up with, I have this question for you: Have you ever read a paranormal romance before?) In fact, Tempest was just awesome enough that I even forgave her for being named Tempest. I even forgave her for being named Tempest in a book where it turns out she can control storms and is the subject of a prophecy that includes the words "Tempest rising".

That's a big deal, folks. ( )

RATING: 3 stars.

I may or may not have mentioned before that I love mermaids. I love their mythology and I love "The Little Mermaid". So I must say I am pretty happy with this recent 'explosion' of mermaid 'heroines' in Urban Fantasy books. Too bad most of these books are targeted to younger crowds. That was actually my main problem with this particular book.

"Tempest Rising" is your typical Young Adult paranormal romance, complete with the whiny heroine, the inevitable love triangle and the insta-romance. Plus the story was a crossover between Harry Potter and... well, I suppose it reminded me a bit of "Goddess of the Sea" by P.C. Cast. Not too much though.

I actually really liked the author's descriptions of Tempests' gradual metamorphosis into mermaid. It seemed like it could actually happen that way and she mentioned details I haven't read in other mermaid related books (the breathing system, etc)... after all it's not only about the tail. I also thought the writing was very accessible and it pulled you into the book.

What I didn't like so much were all the flagrant stereotypes in the plot which were, as I referred before the love triangle, the insta-romance and the whiny heroine or the fact that I kept thinking it all looked like Harry Potter with mermaids and a sea witch instead of Voldemort. Come on, there was even a prophecy! :P

The characters weren't much better, as they were mostly stereotypes. I think the author tried some character development by having the characters talk and talk but unfortunately it didn't work as most of the dialogue 'sounded' kind of long-winded, circular and pointless. I really disliked Tempest sometimes, although overall I could stand her just fine. She just didn't have that much of a personality and the same happened with her love interests (one was jealous and the other was jealous and tortured/protective).

Overall, I enjoyed this book as a light, unoriginal read that features my favorite mythological creature. While Deebs did have moments of great world building, she failed at making this book something special... it's just another YA paranormal romance. A great, light and fun beach read.

( )