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Monday, January 23, 2012

Book Review: Forgive My Fins

Author: Tera Lynn Childs
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books
Series: Fins #1
Release Date: May 19, 2010
Pages: 293
Read it in: 3 days
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Summary: Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life.

When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.

LC's Take:

Forgive My Fins was a super cute and lighthearted book. Even though I thought that the main story was somewhat cliche and predictable (yup, love triangle), it was told in such a sweet  and charming way that I didn't mind. In fact, one of the great things about this book was that it didn't take itself too seriously-- it was just fun and entertaining to read-- and in my own words-- "light-n-fluffy" :)

Ever since Lily Sanderson ventured into the human world-- and high school-- to see what life was like out of the ocean she calls home, she has had the biggest crush on Brodie Bennett. She's totally convinced that a kiss will seal the deal and make him bonded to her for life so that they can live happily ever after in Thalassinia, Lily's underwater home. However, in a cruel twist of fate, Lily is tricked into kissing her arch-nemesis, Quince Fletcher, and now Quince is turning into a merman-- and her bonded mate-- for good! Lily has to bring him back to her father's underwater kingdom in order to undo the bond before they are paired together for life.

So first, I thought that the underwater world that Tera Lynn created in this book was very creative and imaginative, along with all the things that make up a mermaid's life. For example, mermaids can transform into humans and live on land, and when they are underwater in the beautiful kingdom of Thalassinia, there are aquatic breakfast buffets (did you know that mermaids LOVE sushi?), sea villages, mer clothes, beautiful royal underwater rooms, and even underwater motor transport! I also loved all of Lily's fishy expressions and "swear words," which made me smile, I thought that giving her a fishy lingo was a really cute addition to her character!

I did like Lily as the main character, but I have to admit that she sort of annoyed me at times because she was just so darned slow to figure out who she wanted to be with-- she spent pretty much the entire book drooling over Brody, the hot popular guy at school who didn't give a crap about her, while completely ignoring Quince who clearly loved her and did everything he could to show her that he cared. It was really frustrating, having her be so obviously in denial for most of the story!

The epilogue was SUCH a cliff hanger and REALLY made me want to read the sequel, called Fins are Forever-- if the book had just ended with the last chapter, I don't think I would have been terribly interested in reading the second book, but that last page and a half at the end definitely has me wanting more!

If I had to sum up my impressions of this book, I would say that it was like a chick flick-- totally adorable, but pretty predictable. Altogether, I thought that Forgive My Fins was still completely entertaining, and was a great, quick read that will be very refreshing to you if you've been reading tons of dark paranormals or serious dystopians lately. So if you need a break and want to switch things up a little with a cotton candy book that is sweet, light and fluffy, I would give this one a try because it was definitely a lot of fun!

**I would also like to point out that, in my copy of Forgive My Fins, there are tons of cute and awesome extras! These include: a Sea Slang Glossary with all of Lily's favorite fishy sayings, a Royal Timeline of the Mer-royalty who have ruled Thalassinia, an extra chapter on when Quince first met Lily, and a recipe for Mermaid Cupcakes! Seriously?! And I thought this book couldn't get any more adorable ;)

~Cover Talk~



OK, so it's not that I don't like this cover, I do-- it's just that I like the UK edition so much better! I think that the colors on the US version are awesome, and it fits really well with the whole mermaid theme, but honestly I am just so much more in love with the Templar published edition, shown here on the right. I just love the cover model's face and smile, and  the overall design with the blue tones and the bright pink title...  It just looks much more fun and lively to me. Also, the makeup on the US model is so strange-- I don't know how much of a fan I am of blue lips! Which one do you like more?




LC's Rating:
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A fun, quick read to add to your mermaid genre TBR list! The story line was super adorable, although somewhat predictable. I actually call this one a "cotton candy book" because it is sweet, light and fluffy haha... Check it out if you are in the mood for something not too serious!
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15 comments:

  1. I totally agree with your cover comments. I've seen so many sad and moody faces on the covers of YA books, it's nice to see a change for once!

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  2. Great review! I just read and reviewed this one a month or two ago, I loved it! It's like a Disney movie in a book. The UK cover model is really gorgeous, I like her better than the other model but I still love the bright colors of our cover.

    Jessi @ Auntie Spinelli Reads

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  3. I have this one on my shelf but just haven't gotten around to reading it yet. It sounds cute though so I'll definitely have to give it a try soon. Nice review :)

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  4. The UK cover is so much prettier! I'm all about the covers! Great review! :)

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  5. I have this one on my shelf but I haven't got around to reading it yet! It does sound really cute and fluffy. I've read Sweet Venom, one of her other books, and I felt pretty much the same way! But I am glad to know this one was good. Thanks for the review!

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  6. I have been wanting to read this book. I don't read many light n fluffy books, but I would really like to start reading some.

    And I love the UK edition! The smile makes it that much more charming.

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  7. Ooh. This book sounds so adorable. I think I might have to get it a try! I'm in the mood for a happy book.

    Molli | Once Upon a Prologue

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  8. Cool review! I have never read a marmaid story since little mermaid haha...anyway, I will try to get a hold of this one...I hope I'll love it too ^_^

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  9. I agree! The book was pretty cliche but didn't mind since it didn't take itself too seriously. The sequel is a lot of fun too. Great review!
    Book Light Graveyard

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  10. I have been seeing a lot of mermaid books lately. This one looks fun and I am glad you liked it. Great review :)

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  11. i thought the exact same thing when i read it (two years ago?) i really like the uk cover too. it's so much more fun, and i agree with you on the lip issue haha :P glad you enjoyed it!

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  12. I absolutely adore mermaids. I read this book last year and I really loved it, but I haven't had the chance to read the sequel yet. I really need to get on with it! I think the US cover is pretty, but it does seem kind of odd sometimes. I always bounce back in forth with which cover I like. But I REALLY do LOVE the UK cover. Great review. I'm glad you liked it. =) It is definitely a cute light read.

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  13. It sounds like a good escape book. I can use one of those. Belle

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  14. I remember liking this one. I think it made me laugh out loud more than once. (too bad I never wrote a review for it)
    Glad to see that you liked it too :)

    Happy midnight reading!

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  15. I really like you're review ^^

    I was doubting if I wanted to read this one since it looked a little predictable, but you're review made me want to read it asap ;)

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