The author does an in depth job at creating this world. It is one if the best laid out of the mermaid books I've read. From the government to keeping the secret to every day life. Its worth the read just to discover her world.

That being said the first 65% of the book is telling. It is a weird you need to know this information for the plot so here it is layout. My intrigue into the world definitely kept my interest through this section which is why I gave it 4 stars, but it was had to get sucked into the book and the characters stories because of it. ( )

Adorable story!
Kate and her mother Cara are new in town in moving after her father's death. She immediately be friends a young boy named Gabe. The circumstances in which they met or a bit hazy. Nevertheless they become lifelong friends. Having grown up together they eventually become adults and fall in love which pleases everyone around them. But there's just one problem... Gabe is hiding a very big family secret. One that could definitely rock the waves in the ocean of Kate's life.
This book was great but I did find a few issues with it. Let me address those real quick:
The beginning of the book is very difficult to follow and develop a straight timeline. I think when they first arrived Kate was 5 years old. As she grew older we revisit the story when she turned 17. But I could be wrong. But you do not actually learn that Kate is indeed 17 years old until chapter 6. Before then it seems like a little bit of a guessing game. Perhaps a little fine-tuning on the beginning of this book would help the reader to understand a lot better.
There are characters that seem to pop up out of nowhere at times and have not been introduced or developed or don't get those two until later in the book. It would be great if when the characters are being introduced that we get a little backstory on who they are and how they relate to the main characters we already know.
I have found a few grammatical and punctuation errors in the book as well. Re-editing this book would definitely be a good idea.
All these points aside, the story was absolutely adorable. I really enjoyed reading this coming of age fantasy novel. The ups and downs in the story are written almost perfectly. The characters are believable, even being set in fantasy, and very relatable. Great praise to Errin Stevens for weaving such an intriguing web that pulls you right in for a nice little swim with a siren.
After errors the are fixed, I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. ( )

Updrift The Mer Chronicles # 1 Review
Errin Stevens

This could have been just a stand alone story but thankfully there is another to come. I have never read a mermaid story and found this enchanting. Solid story. Highly recommended ( )

YAY! Mermaids! Love mermaids and the cover, so reading this is a no brainer. I immediately thought of Splash, only in reverse, the girl ‘falls’ in the water and falls in love with the ‘boy’. I’m hooked.

Updrift by Errin Stevens is Kate’s life from the time she is five years old to adulthood. I love seeing her grow and develop from an introverted nerd, to a strong, determined woman with desires that will not be denied and one who knows the difference between right and wrong and will step up.

After the death of her father, Kate and her mother move from Kansas to Griffin Bay, North Carolina for a fresh start.

Kate is confused about all the secrecy surrounding her and the push for her to fill her days with tons of schoolwork, an internship, and little to no socializing, especially with Gabe. And Gabe? And, now that they were meeting after being kept apart for so long, is he still interested in her? Were they being kept apart on purpose…And, what now?

Kate and Gabe do not sense the danger coming their way, but I do and I fear for them. What could they do, even if they knew?

I love all things in their mer world. They have their own set of rules and customs, but there are those who think changes need to be made. After all, it is the 21st century.

I haven’t read a book quite like Updrift and Errin Stevens’ mer world had me thinking, hey can I play too? Who wouldn’t want to swim with the fishes…in a good way?

I loved it and if you love mermaids as much as I do, this is one you want on your reading list. I want more, and thank goodness I have Breakwater, the second book in The Mer Chronicles waiting for me on my Kindle. As a matter of fact, I cannot wait and will begin…NOW.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Updrift by Errin Stevens.

See more at http://www.fundinmental.com ( )