Review: Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
Series: Lies Beneath #1
Publisher: Delacorte Books for YR (Random House)
First published: June 12th, 2012
Source: NetGalley
Format: eARC
Pages: 303

Goodreads Summary:

Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistable good looks and charm on ususpecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him.

My Rating: 3.5 / 5

First thoughts:

Introducing its readers to a dark world of evil merpeople, Lies Beneath is a captivating story of finding a balance between your need for revenge and the magic of true love. And even though I had a few problems to connect with the protagonists, I couldn't stop reading and can't wait to see what will happen in the second book of this series. 

More detailed:

I've been really excited about reading a book with a different kind of merpeople lore, because I think that their evilness and cruelty works really well for creatures that are living in the dark depths of lakes and oceans. And it definitely didn't disappoint: these mermaids (and mermen) are evil and kill humans to survive - and sometimes just because they want to.

Lies Beneath is told from Calder's point of view and considering that we don't get a male perspective that often in Young Adult novels, it was a refreshing change. He's a merman and therefore has some darker sides, but nonetheless he's a somewhat likeable protagonist. His character development throughout the story is definitely interesting to witness.

His love story is one of the forbidden kind, which are my favorite ones. Falling in love with the daughter of the man Calder and his sisters have vowed to kill is the perfect way to ensure that readers will keep turning Lies Beneath's pages and cross their fingers for the unlikely couple to get their happy ending. 

And while I really like the plot line and Anne Greenwood Brown's style of writing, I sadly had a few small problems truly feeling for these characters. I can't even explain exactly why, because all in all Lies Beneath had everything I want in a book. It's just an overall feeling that made me not like it enough for a four star (or higher) rating.

But if you've thinking about giving this book a chance, don't hesitate and get a copy. I'll definitely read the second book of this series as well and might even get a finished copy. Mermaids are a really lovely trend in 2012 and Anne Greenwood Brown's take on them is refreshing and slightly addicting.

Have you read Lies Beneath? What did you think about it?

Do you plan to read it?

Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below!

Carina

Fictional Distractions of the Week #33

Welcome to Fictional Distractions of the Week. It is inspired by Book Journey's It's Monday! What are you reading? and Fiktshun's My Reading Pile and it will show you what I'm planning to read during the next week.

The books I plan to read this week:

Thanks to having to learn so much at the moment, I really didn't have a lot of time to get any reading done and only read one book last week. This is why I only started Timepiece by Myra McEntire yesterday and am not really far into it. But I like what I've read so far and can't wait to continue reading.

Goodreads Summary:

A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong?

Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results.

Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough...

Still, the next book on my tbr-pile is Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown. I've mostly heard good (and some neutral) things about it, so I'm looking forward to find out what I'd think about it. Mermaids are really a huge bookish trend this year.

Goodreads Summary:

Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistable good looks and charm on ususpecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him.

I doubt that I'll be able to get to it this week, but I'm still hoping to at least start Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein. I've heard really good things about this one, and even though it's supposed to be not very light-hearted, sometimes I'm just craving a good contemporary novel. 

Goodreads Summary:

Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

What are your Fictional Distractions of the Week?

 

Fictional Distractions of the Week #32

Welcome to Fictional Distractions of the Week. It is inspired by Book Journey's It's Monday! What are you reading? and Fiktshun's My Reading Pile and it will show you what I'm planning to read during the next week.

The books I plan to read this week:

Since I wrote the first of three criminal law exams today and am quite happy with what I came up with, I'm going to reward myself by starting to Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. Can't waít to see whether it's as awesome as so many people keep saying!

Goodreads Summary:
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

Next on my tbr-pile is Timepiece by Myra McEntire and saying that I'm excited to start it would be an understatement. I fell in love with the first book Hourglass very fast and very hard and really hope that its sequel will manage to make me feel equally passionate about it. (I'm actually a bit scared of disappointment...)

Goodreads Summary:

A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong?

Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results.

Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough...

Since I'll have a lot of things to learn this week as well, I probably won't even get to it, but that doesn't stop me from at least mentioning Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown. I really like mermaid stories at the moment and this one sounds really awesome. Can't wait!

Goodreads Summary:
Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistable good looks and charm on ususpecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him.

What are your Fictional Distractions of the Week?

 

In My Mailbox #37

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It gives bloggers the chance to appreciate the books they got last week and to meet new people.

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The books that I was gifted:

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

I actually got a voucher from my mum that she was gifted but didn't need and she told me to order a book that I wanted. Therefore I got Wolfsbane because I really need to continue this series.

The books that I bought:

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi (my review)

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines (Kindle)

Slumber by Samantha Young (Kindle)

I got Slumber for free and The Vincent Boys for 0,89€ on Amazon.

The books that I received for review:

Spellcaster by Cara Lynn Shultz

Goddess Interrupted by Aimée Carter

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Getting Over Garrett Delaney by Abby McDonald

The Princesses of Iowa by M. Molly Backes

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Teen, Random House & Candlewick.

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Can you believe how many amazing books there are available for request on NetGalley? Wow, it seems as though there are new books I've been dying to read every day. It's a very good thing that I'll have to travel by train a lot during my internship in February/March, which means that I'll have a lot of time to read.

What did you get in your mailbox?

Carina

Waiting on Wednesday #41: Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Publisher: Delacorte Press (Random House)

Expected Publication: June 12th, 2012

Pages: 288

Goodreads Summary:
Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistable good looks and charm on ususpecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him.

It seems as though 2012 might be the year of awesome mermaid books. This one sounds really great and I'm definitely waiting impatiently to get my hands on a copy of Lies Beneath.

What are you waiting for this Wednesday?
Carina