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Crescent Moon Bay #1
Fathom
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B009GJBGVS
Turning sixteen can be hell, especially if everyone in town thinks your mother killed herself and your sister. All Kira Callahan wants to do is swim, hang out with her best friend, Sean, and ignore the kids who torment her at school. That is, until one day when she gets invited to a party. For three minutes her life is wonderful—she even kisses Sean. Then somebody spikes her drink and some girls from out of town lure her into the ocean and hold her underwater.
Kira soon discovers that the group of wild teenagers who have come to visit Crescent Moon Bay are not as innocent as they seem. In fact, nothing is as it seems—not the mysterious deaths of her sister and mother, not her heritage, not even her best friend. And everything seems to hinge on the ancient Celtic legends that her mother used to tell her as a child.
Turning sixteen can be hell, especially if everyone in town thinks your mother killed herself and your sister. All Kira Callahan wants to do is swim, hang out with her best friend, Sean, and ignore the kids who torment her at school. That is, until one day when she gets invited to a party. For three minutes her life is wonderful—she even kisses Sean. Then somebody spikes her drink and some girls from out of town lure her into the ocean and hold her underwater.
Kira soon discovers that the group of wild teenagers who have come to visit Crescent Moon Bay are not as innocent as they seem. In fact, nothing is as it seems—not the mysterious deaths of her sister and mother, not her heritage, not even her best friend. And everything seems to hinge on the ancient Celtic legends that her mother used to tell her as a child.
310 pages, ebook
First published September 24, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
July 23, 2013
I got this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
I am so glad I had an opportunity to read this book, because two days ago, I had no idea what Selkies are. I have never even heard of them before. And now, I can show off with my expanded knowledge.
this story is written in two POVs: Caleb's and Kira's.
Caleb is a Selkie and Kira is a normal everyday girl who turns up not to be as normal as she thought she was. She finds out that her mother was a Selkie.
But that is all I will tell you because i don't want to rain you with spoilers.
all in all, this easy read is beyond interesting. although I am not familiar with Irish folklor and legends I can tell that the story is developing very good and by the end of the story answers almost all questions (there is one that i find unanswered but i am not sure if I missed something).
you can find all types of characters in this book. from mean girl to doubtful priest, from worried granny who likes whiskey to careful neighbor, from ugly monster to beautiful ghost.
and the main adjectiv i would use to describe the main protagonist Kira is temperate. she is good and mild but not boring, and in the same time she is ready for action but she is not forcible.
and she has the great taste in music. Yellowcard and Paramore are my favorite.
If it wasn't an epilogue I would assume that story is finished. and that would be fine with me because i think it was the good end. but I guess there will be sequel. and when it comes out, i will definitely grab a copy.
I am so glad I had an opportunity to read this book, because two days ago, I had no idea what Selkies are. I have never even heard of them before. And now, I can show off with my expanded knowledge.
this story is written in two POVs: Caleb's and Kira's.
Caleb is a Selkie and Kira is a normal everyday girl who turns up not to be as normal as she thought she was. She finds out that her mother was a Selkie.
But that is all I will tell you because i don't want to rain you with spoilers.
all in all, this easy read is beyond interesting. although I am not familiar with Irish folklor and legends I can tell that the story is developing very good and by the end of the story answers almost all questions (there is one that i find unanswered but i am not sure if I missed something).
you can find all types of characters in this book. from mean girl to doubtful priest, from worried granny who likes whiskey to careful neighbor, from ugly monster to beautiful ghost.
and the main adjectiv i would use to describe the main protagonist Kira is temperate. she is good and mild but not boring, and in the same time she is ready for action but she is not forcible.
and she has the great taste in music. Yellowcard and Paramore are my favorite.
If it wasn't an epilogue I would assume that story is finished. and that would be fine with me because i think it was the good end. but I guess there will be sequel. and when it comes out, i will definitely grab a copy.
July 10, 2013
3.5 stars
Books with sea creatures and I didn't get along. Last year I read a book about mermaids and ... no ... I promised myself I would never subject myself to that torture again, I would never, ever read another YA book about mythological sea creatures (mermaids and the like).
I'm so glad I broke the promise!!
The first thing that got my attention was the title, Fathom. It reminded me of a comic I read 15 years ago (damn! I'm getting old), by the amazing artist Michael Turner (R.I.P) ... here is an image, for the sake of old times ;)
OK ... enough rambling.
Fathom is narrated from two POVs, Kira and Caleb's.
Kira feels isolated, an outcast ... why?? Because 10 years ago, her mother killed her sister and then commited suicide by jumping off a cliff into the ocean. Kira has two friends only, Sean (his best-friend-almost-boyfriend) and Brianna (who has secrets and is more than it seems).
Caleb is a selkie, he grew up listening to the elder's legends, one of them captivated him: The legend about Kira, a girl with a sad destiny. When his friend Ethan tells him he saw the girl of the legends on a beach, Caleb swims with a group of his friends to the beach where Kira lives.
Selkies art by StressedJenny
The problem?? Someone is hunting the selkies and Kira is in danger.
Why Kira??? Here's when I shut up. No spoilers!!!!
I don't know much about Selkie mithology, but I did a bit of research on google and I think Fathom's silkies are pretty different from the ones in the scottish mythology. That's ok for me. But I would have liked a bit more explanation about the mythology.
There is a love triangle, but 2 of the ppl involved were oblivious about the other one. So it wasn't exactly the typical love triangle where the heroine can't choose. Actually ... the choice is made for her by one of the heroes ... *sigh* ... why!!!????
The story kept me glued to my kindle ... although I really wanted to shake Kira a bit, some of her reactions were a bit childish ... example:
Grandma: This will protect you from the evil guy, don't take it off.
Kira: OK grandma!!!
*Someone steals the object*
Kira: I'm going to do nothing and stay all night without protection... I think I'm going to drink coke!! Yeah, good idea, I'll get drunk with coca~cola.
*In the morning*
Grandma: Hello darling ... blah blah blah.
Kira: Blah blah blah... I already told everything to Sean, who can't do a thing about it.
Grandma: Where is your protection!!??
Kira: Ohhh, by the way ... XXXXX stole it from me last night.
Grandma: When?
Kira: I Dunno, a couple of hours ago, when you were sleeping.
But the things I liked the most are the twists in the story. Some of them I predicted and others ... nop, never saw them coming. I and love when a book surprises me.
So ... I say you should read it, yep!!!
And honestly, I can't wait for the sequel!!!!
A copy of the book was provided by the author via Never Too Old For Y.A. & N.A. Books Book Club here in GR, in exchange for my honest review.
Books with sea creatures and I didn't get along. Last year I read a book about mermaids and ... no ... I promised myself I would never subject myself to that torture again, I would never, ever read another YA book about mythological sea creatures (mermaids and the like).
I'm so glad I broke the promise!!
The first thing that got my attention was the title, Fathom. It reminded me of a comic I read 15 years ago (damn! I'm getting old), by the amazing artist Michael Turner (R.I.P) ... here is an image, for the sake of old times ;)
OK ... enough rambling.
Fathom is narrated from two POVs, Kira and Caleb's.
Kira feels isolated, an outcast ... why?? Because 10 years ago, her mother killed her sister and then commited suicide by jumping off a cliff into the ocean. Kira has two friends only, Sean (his best-friend-almost-boyfriend) and Brianna (who has secrets and is more than it seems).
Caleb is a selkie, he grew up listening to the elder's legends, one of them captivated him: The legend about Kira, a girl with a sad destiny. When his friend Ethan tells him he saw the girl of the legends on a beach, Caleb swims with a group of his friends to the beach where Kira lives.
Selkies art by StressedJenny
The problem?? Someone is hunting the selkies and Kira is in danger.
Why Kira??? Here's when I shut up. No spoilers!!!!
I don't know much about Selkie mithology, but I did a bit of research on google and I think Fathom's silkies are pretty different from the ones in the scottish mythology. That's ok for me. But I would have liked a bit more explanation about the mythology.
There is a love triangle, but 2 of the ppl involved were oblivious about the other one. So it wasn't exactly the typical love triangle where the heroine can't choose. Actually ... the choice is made for her by one of the heroes ... *sigh* ... why!!!????
The story kept me glued to my kindle ... although I really wanted to shake Kira a bit, some of her reactions were a bit childish ... example:
Grandma: This will protect you from the evil guy, don't take it off.
Kira: OK grandma!!!
*Someone steals the object*
Kira: I'm going to do nothing and stay all night without protection... I think I'm going to drink coke!! Yeah, good idea, I'll get drunk with coca~cola.
*In the morning*
Grandma: Hello darling ... blah blah blah.
Kira: Blah blah blah... I already told everything to Sean, who can't do a thing about it.
Grandma: Where is your protection!!??
Kira: Ohhh, by the way ... XXXXX stole it from me last night.
Grandma: When?
Kira: I Dunno, a couple of hours ago, when you were sleeping.
But the things I liked the most are the twists in the story. Some of them I predicted and others ... nop, never saw them coming. I and love when a book surprises me.
So ... I say you should read it, yep!!!
And honestly, I can't wait for the sequel!!!!
A copy of the book was provided by the author via Never Too Old For Y.A. & N.A. Books Book Club here in GR, in exchange for my honest review.
October 20, 2012
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: A small town girl falls in love with her best friend and finds out Celtic mythology is alive and well in Crescent Moon Bay.
Opening Sentence: I never believed in ghosts.
The Review:
At first I was a little leary — what with the first sentence being on ghosts. But as I read more, I realized it’s not about ghosts; it’s about Celtic myths, specifically Selkies. Kira Callahan is just a normal girl. With a mother who murdered her sister then committed suicide. So life hadn’t been easy, but with her best friend Sean next to her, it was bearable. Then a group of teenagers visits Crescent Moon Bay. There’s nothing special about them. Besides the cute guy with sea blue eyes like her. And his friend Riley that seems to hate her guts without even knowing her. Kira’s whole life has been a legend in the making–stories have been told around campfires about her life, but the ending has yet to come. Nothing is as it seems in this dramatic story of mythology, family and love.
Phew. Give me a few seconds to cool down after this steamy story. And not steamy as in romance. Steamy as in emotional roller coaster. From the very beginning Destefano grips the reader in a firm hold and doesn’t let go. One minute you’re happy saying “aw that’s sweet!” In the next, you’re in tears and can’t stop yelling at the book. Not to say that’s what I did…
There were several twists in Fathom that made me reread the chapter because I was so surprised. True, I was reading this at midnight, but still, it’s worth the suspense that Destefano builds. Honestly, the tense atmosphere she creates is like a hundred pound boulder strung above your head. But Sean and Caleb will save you before it falls!
Romance is the central subject in this story (if you exclude the mythology). It’s like a love triangle with one side invisible to the other two sides. If you can’t follow that, then I’ll go a little deeper. Sean and Kira like each other, but Kira is attracted to Caleb. While Caleb falls in love with Kira, Sean and Kira become closer, and its a huge mess but not really because Caleb hides his feelings. I wish Destefano would have gone into more detail with Caleb. His relationship with Kira is backgroundish and has no build up whatsoever. He just all of a sudden likes her. Although he is so sweet and protective of Kira without her knowing (which makes it even more romantic). Sean is the typical boy-next-door. Nothing’s wrong with that, but he barely has any flaws. Sure he didn’t trust Kira once, but they get over that in a cinch. I’m not sure who’s team I’m on yet because they are both good matches for Kira, but I’m not overly thrilled about both.
Destefano’s writing is a beautiful, fast-paced account of a Celtic myth in the making. Kira’s story is still unfolding and I cannot wait until the next installment! The ending isn’t a major cliffhanger. More like a satisfying ending with loose ends still to be tied up. Destefano could have given more detail while Caleb narrated the story (it flips between Kira and Caleb), but it was Kira’s narration that brought the suspense and drama. I absolutely loved this novel and its twists and turns and heart wrenching moments.
Notable Scene:
I nodded, slowly, my lips trembling. Well, I had wanted to talk to him about this and, now, here he was, watching me turn into a monster, right before his eyes. I forced myself to remember my conversation with Gram earlier, went over all the steps she had read to me from one of her books. I couldn’t look at Sean. Not now. I couldn’t bear to see the repulsion in his eyes.
Focus. One slow breath at a time.
Dad’s going to be okay.
And so am I. Just slow down and focus and change back.
Skin, human skin.
Sean was there, his arm around me.
Everything is going to be all right.
I took one long breath, clean and pure and filled with the stench of antiseptic. Then I glanced down at my hands.
Normal skin. Finally.
I hugged my knees to my chest and wept, a long soul-shattering cry that shook the universe and rearranged constellations and made stars fall from the sky.
FTC Advisory: Merrie Destefano provided me with a copy of Fathom. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: A small town girl falls in love with her best friend and finds out Celtic mythology is alive and well in Crescent Moon Bay.
Opening Sentence: I never believed in ghosts.
The Review:
At first I was a little leary — what with the first sentence being on ghosts. But as I read more, I realized it’s not about ghosts; it’s about Celtic myths, specifically Selkies. Kira Callahan is just a normal girl. With a mother who murdered her sister then committed suicide. So life hadn’t been easy, but with her best friend Sean next to her, it was bearable. Then a group of teenagers visits Crescent Moon Bay. There’s nothing special about them. Besides the cute guy with sea blue eyes like her. And his friend Riley that seems to hate her guts without even knowing her. Kira’s whole life has been a legend in the making–stories have been told around campfires about her life, but the ending has yet to come. Nothing is as it seems in this dramatic story of mythology, family and love.
Phew. Give me a few seconds to cool down after this steamy story. And not steamy as in romance. Steamy as in emotional roller coaster. From the very beginning Destefano grips the reader in a firm hold and doesn’t let go. One minute you’re happy saying “aw that’s sweet!” In the next, you’re in tears and can’t stop yelling at the book. Not to say that’s what I did…
There were several twists in Fathom that made me reread the chapter because I was so surprised. True, I was reading this at midnight, but still, it’s worth the suspense that Destefano builds. Honestly, the tense atmosphere she creates is like a hundred pound boulder strung above your head. But Sean and Caleb will save you before it falls!
Romance is the central subject in this story (if you exclude the mythology). It’s like a love triangle with one side invisible to the other two sides. If you can’t follow that, then I’ll go a little deeper. Sean and Kira like each other, but Kira is attracted to Caleb. While Caleb falls in love with Kira, Sean and Kira become closer, and its a huge mess but not really because Caleb hides his feelings. I wish Destefano would have gone into more detail with Caleb. His relationship with Kira is backgroundish and has no build up whatsoever. He just all of a sudden likes her. Although he is so sweet and protective of Kira without her knowing (which makes it even more romantic). Sean is the typical boy-next-door. Nothing’s wrong with that, but he barely has any flaws. Sure he didn’t trust Kira once, but they get over that in a cinch. I’m not sure who’s team I’m on yet because they are both good matches for Kira, but I’m not overly thrilled about both.
Destefano’s writing is a beautiful, fast-paced account of a Celtic myth in the making. Kira’s story is still unfolding and I cannot wait until the next installment! The ending isn’t a major cliffhanger. More like a satisfying ending with loose ends still to be tied up. Destefano could have given more detail while Caleb narrated the story (it flips between Kira and Caleb), but it was Kira’s narration that brought the suspense and drama. I absolutely loved this novel and its twists and turns and heart wrenching moments.
Notable Scene:
I nodded, slowly, my lips trembling. Well, I had wanted to talk to him about this and, now, here he was, watching me turn into a monster, right before his eyes. I forced myself to remember my conversation with Gram earlier, went over all the steps she had read to me from one of her books. I couldn’t look at Sean. Not now. I couldn’t bear to see the repulsion in his eyes.
Focus. One slow breath at a time.
Dad’s going to be okay.
And so am I. Just slow down and focus and change back.
Skin, human skin.
Sean was there, his arm around me.
Everything is going to be all right.
I took one long breath, clean and pure and filled with the stench of antiseptic. Then I glanced down at my hands.
Normal skin. Finally.
I hugged my knees to my chest and wept, a long soul-shattering cry that shook the universe and rearranged constellations and made stars fall from the sky.
FTC Advisory: Merrie Destefano provided me with a copy of Fathom. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
September 11, 2015
I got this book free in exchange of an honest review.
This book is about 16-year-old Kira with a troubled past/family history, who starts experiencing weird things about herself and some people she is worund with act in a weird way when they are with her... she has to come to terms with that she isn't what she thought she was, and the world around her and her life (like the history of the death of her mother and sister) are also far from what she knew as truths, let alone the bunch of new kids in her town, who are not innocent tourists as they show themselves... and that is just the beginning of all the troubles.
Overall, I LOVED this book. The world building was picture perfect, the pacing was amazing (it wasn't overwhelming, but it kept making itself read, without any boring parts), the characters were great... I mean, they had personalities and there were always reasons why they acted in certain ways. I have to mention that some of the reasons for behaviours are told in later parts of the novels - so please don't give up on the book just for feeling that it's silly at times or incoherent, because it's not, I swear. I also liked how the puzzle pieces of the storyline was put together. The love triangle there was relatively nicely executed as well (except for parts when Kira feels drawn to Caleb, yet is angry inside for Sean to act too nice to Riley, I felt that kind of stupid and selfish) - I liked how she chose the underdog guy (by underdog, I mean, by paranormal romance standard underdog), and how she felt a really deep friendship for the other guy, and also how the other guy felt love (or that's how I interpreted it) but chose not to force his feelings on Kira, and that he stood up for her when it was needed. I felt the latter scenes felt really beautiful.
The only downfall of this book, for me, except for the aforementioned aspect of the love triangle, was that sometimes the main heroine Kira was kind of like a generic outcast emo/tomboy paranormal romance chick. Even her taste in music and her writing on her wrists and her attitude to make-up was kind of cliché sometimes... let alone how exceptionally beautiful she is and she doesn't see it blablabla. That was over the top a bit.
And I know it was kind of explained in the book, why the family didn't tell the whole truth to Kira (not even when she got in trouble), but I still have the opinion that Dad and Gran acted really stupidly.
But those were minor things, and the reading experience made up for these little flaws BIG TIME. One of my favorite reads this year so far for me (and I'm not even a huge Y.A. worshipper, and the other top books of the year don't come come from this genre... so that IS a big compliment from me).
This book is about 16-year-old Kira with a troubled past/family history, who starts experiencing weird things about herself and some people she is worund with act in a weird way when they are with her... she has to come to terms with that she isn't what she thought she was, and the world around her and her life (like the history of the death of her mother and sister) are also far from what she knew as truths, let alone the bunch of new kids in her town, who are not innocent tourists as they show themselves... and that is just the beginning of all the troubles.
Overall, I LOVED this book. The world building was picture perfect, the pacing was amazing (it wasn't overwhelming, but it kept making itself read, without any boring parts), the characters were great... I mean, they had personalities and there were always reasons why they acted in certain ways. I have to mention that some of the reasons for behaviours are told in later parts of the novels - so please don't give up on the book just for feeling that it's silly at times or incoherent, because it's not, I swear. I also liked how the puzzle pieces of the storyline was put together. The love triangle there was relatively nicely executed as well (except for parts when Kira feels drawn to Caleb, yet is angry inside for Sean to act too nice to Riley, I felt that kind of stupid and selfish) - I liked how she chose the underdog guy (by underdog, I mean, by paranormal romance standard underdog), and how she felt a really deep friendship for the other guy, and also how the other guy felt love (or that's how I interpreted it) but chose not to force his feelings on Kira, and that he stood up for her when it was needed. I felt the latter scenes felt really beautiful.
The only downfall of this book, for me, except for the aforementioned aspect of the love triangle, was that sometimes the main heroine Kira was kind of like a generic outcast emo/tomboy paranormal romance chick. Even her taste in music and her writing on her wrists and her attitude to make-up was kind of cliché sometimes... let alone how exceptionally beautiful she is and she doesn't see it blablabla. That was over the top a bit.
And I know it was kind of explained in the book, why the family didn't tell the whole truth to Kira (not even when she got in trouble), but I still have the opinion that Dad and Gran acted really stupidly.
But those were minor things, and the reading experience made up for these little flaws BIG TIME. One of my favorite reads this year so far for me (and I'm not even a huge Y.A. worshipper, and the other top books of the year don't come come from this genre... so that IS a big compliment from me).
September 19, 2012
Original review here: http://mybookchatterchat.blogspot.co....
Fathom is a story steeped in mystery, legends, and the ghosts of a tragic past. And although it has been written with a YA audience in mind, I have fallen in love with with beautiful and charismatic tale.
I fell in love with Kira straight off the bat.
Kira is a great girl, her determination and love for those around her is an attribute both admirable and foolish, no more so when faced with a choice between her own happiness, or fulfilling the happiness of others.
She has very deep-set ideals that are not often found in your average teenager; she's a fighter, and once her mind is set on something, no amount of persuasion will move her from it.
Haunted by the ghosts of her past, the unwanted rumors about her that never die down, combined with the new and strange feelings for her cute best friend, Kira's life just gets even more complicated by some strangely intriguing attention from the mysterious new kids in town.
Watched like a hawk by her overprotective family, whispering and waiting anxiously for something to happen to her, for her to turn out like her mother, Kira has to battle more than just her own demons.
Fathom is a story shrouded in secrets; and this new and improved version of Selkie's and their Celtic Legend is fantastic.
They are an adventurous, sexy, messed up group, on a quest of self discovery that has been predestined in the ongoing legends that this old and secret race live by. They are chaotic, erratic, and their emotions are almost always in turmoil, making them unpredictable and exciting. The author has morphed this legend into a unique and captivating version that is completely her own.
I just couldn't put Fathom down.
Its not just Kira's story, it's a story that encompasses a whole family, the legends of old that they live by and their small seaside town.
There are so many elements and threads to Fathom that there really isn't a moment to catch your breath. Its entirely absorbing, and I lost myself in it's pages; I especially loved the brief passages of undersea life and I hungered for more of this fascinating world.
Beautifully written and very evocative, Fathom is a fantastic story full of excitement, mystery, love and grief.
A fantastic 5 Star read ;]
Fathom is a story steeped in mystery, legends, and the ghosts of a tragic past. And although it has been written with a YA audience in mind, I have fallen in love with with beautiful and charismatic tale.
I fell in love with Kira straight off the bat.
Kira is a great girl, her determination and love for those around her is an attribute both admirable and foolish, no more so when faced with a choice between her own happiness, or fulfilling the happiness of others.
She has very deep-set ideals that are not often found in your average teenager; she's a fighter, and once her mind is set on something, no amount of persuasion will move her from it.
Haunted by the ghosts of her past, the unwanted rumors about her that never die down, combined with the new and strange feelings for her cute best friend, Kira's life just gets even more complicated by some strangely intriguing attention from the mysterious new kids in town.
Watched like a hawk by her overprotective family, whispering and waiting anxiously for something to happen to her, for her to turn out like her mother, Kira has to battle more than just her own demons.
Fathom is a story shrouded in secrets; and this new and improved version of Selkie's and their Celtic Legend is fantastic.
They are an adventurous, sexy, messed up group, on a quest of self discovery that has been predestined in the ongoing legends that this old and secret race live by. They are chaotic, erratic, and their emotions are almost always in turmoil, making them unpredictable and exciting. The author has morphed this legend into a unique and captivating version that is completely her own.
I just couldn't put Fathom down.
Its not just Kira's story, it's a story that encompasses a whole family, the legends of old that they live by and their small seaside town.
There are so many elements and threads to Fathom that there really isn't a moment to catch your breath. Its entirely absorbing, and I lost myself in it's pages; I especially loved the brief passages of undersea life and I hungered for more of this fascinating world.
Beautifully written and very evocative, Fathom is a fantastic story full of excitement, mystery, love and grief.
A fantastic 5 Star read ;]
September 11, 2012
Wow! Every book Merrie Destefano writes is even better than the last. I loved the books she wrote before, but Fathom is unquestionably my favorite of her stories. The characters, plot, and world are all well-developed and they sucked me right in. I spent almost an entire day immersed in Fathom, and I didn't want to leave when it ended.
Fathom's characters feel real and true-to-life. They're complicated and fascinating, and their interactions are full of life and depth. I like that Fathom avoids cliches in the characters' relationships. Everything is fresh and more like real life in that nothing is black and white. Relationships in the book aren't simple, but they are more interesting and meaningful because of that.
I didn’t guess where the plot was going right away, which I always appreciate. I didn’t see revelations or twists coming until it was almost time or until they’d already snuck up on me. Nothing was predictable, but it all made sense when it happened. I love it when I find a book like that.
Merrie chooses just the right words to create a vivid atmosphere for Fathom. The story is full of magic, danger, mystery, beauty, and legend. The world Merrie has created for Fathom is just as rich as its characters. It was so fun to watch layer after layer unfold as the story progressed.
And because I almost always mention in my reviews who my favorite character was, for those who are curious, this time it was Caleb.
I immensely enjoyed Fathom, and I hope we get to further explore its world someday in more stories.
Fathom's characters feel real and true-to-life. They're complicated and fascinating, and their interactions are full of life and depth. I like that Fathom avoids cliches in the characters' relationships. Everything is fresh and more like real life in that nothing is black and white. Relationships in the book aren't simple, but they are more interesting and meaningful because of that.
I didn’t guess where the plot was going right away, which I always appreciate. I didn’t see revelations or twists coming until it was almost time or until they’d already snuck up on me. Nothing was predictable, but it all made sense when it happened. I love it when I find a book like that.
Merrie chooses just the right words to create a vivid atmosphere for Fathom. The story is full of magic, danger, mystery, beauty, and legend. The world Merrie has created for Fathom is just as rich as its characters. It was so fun to watch layer after layer unfold as the story progressed.
And because I almost always mention in my reviews who my favorite character was, for those who are curious, this time it was Caleb.
I immensely enjoyed Fathom, and I hope we get to further explore its world someday in more stories.
October 6, 2012
There had better be a sequel to this book, is all I have to say!
October 15, 2017
3.5 stars
I was given the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review. I have to say I really did enjoy it and was done with it really quickly. It started off with a bit of a spooky feel and that's perfect for this time of year. I loved the mystery of the Celtic legends. To be honest I don't know much about them. While reading the first part of the book I was really curious to find out what Caleb was and how it played together with Kira. I loved Kira's grandmother and how even though it seemed she wasn't all there she knew a lot more than she let on. Sean was also a favorite character of mine and I loved how you knew there was more there, but it took awhile to play out.
There were a few things that bothered me though. Sometimes it seemed like things happened out of nowhere or the choices made didn't fit with what we know about the character. The fact that the author kept what they were secret for so long was interesting, but I felt it could've been told a little earlier. Also, Lynn was kind of a confusing character. She was there in the beginning, certain events took place and after that she really didn't have much influence in the story. That made it confusing for me.
Beside those few things I really did enjoy this book and would love to know what happens with these characters and how things develop after the ending of this story. Merrie Destefano has an amazing concept and I would love to see what she does with it.
More descriptive review can be found here: https://thebookdutchesses.wordpress.c...
I was given the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review. I have to say I really did enjoy it and was done with it really quickly. It started off with a bit of a spooky feel and that's perfect for this time of year. I loved the mystery of the Celtic legends. To be honest I don't know much about them. While reading the first part of the book I was really curious to find out what Caleb was and how it played together with Kira. I loved Kira's grandmother and how even though it seemed she wasn't all there she knew a lot more than she let on. Sean was also a favorite character of mine and I loved how you knew there was more there, but it took awhile to play out.
There were a few things that bothered me though. Sometimes it seemed like things happened out of nowhere or the choices made didn't fit with what we know about the character. The fact that the author kept what they were secret for so long was interesting, but I felt it could've been told a little earlier. Also, Lynn was kind of a confusing character. She was there in the beginning, certain events took place and after that she really didn't have much influence in the story. That made it confusing for me.
Beside those few things I really did enjoy this book and would love to know what happens with these characters and how things develop after the ending of this story. Merrie Destefano has an amazing concept and I would love to see what she does with it.
More descriptive review can be found here: https://thebookdutchesses.wordpress.c...
September 23, 2012
*review copy provided by author in exchange for an honest view
Originally reviewed for and posted at Vampire Book Club
Rating (out of 5): 4.5 Stars
Fathom is a beautifully crafted tale of ancient Celtic legends and the difficulties of growing up with emotional scars.
An awful family tragedy has both literally and figuratively haunted 16-year-old Kira Callihan for most of her life. Growing up in California with her father and grandmother, Kira finds it difficult to live with the memories of the night her mother killed her sister then threw herself into the ocean. It’s even harder when her classmates whisper behind her back, wondering if she will turn out the same. Shy and withdrawn, she takes solace in her best friend Sean and their daily swims.
When a group of teenagers comes into their little tourist town and a house party spirals out of control, Kira’s world is turned on its head. Battling with mysteries she doesn’t understand, and feelings she’s not sure she wants to, Kira begins to question everything around her, including herself.
The beginning of Fathom has an atmospheric style to it that reminded me of classic ghost stories. Describing the moment when Kira first sees what she thinks is her mother’s ghost had me flashing back to images of The Ring (yep, creepy!). Whilst this gothic feeling continues throughout, Merrie Destefano balances it brilliantly with Kira’s slightly awkward and sarcastic nature. The character description, ranging from the Paperdoll mean girls that torment her at school to the creatures from Celtic mythology, are so vivid that I had no trouble losing myself in this world.
I won’t go into too much detail about the supernatural element, as discovering it is part of the journey you take with Kira (spoiler-free review FTW, as Chelsea would say!), but suffice to say the world building is unique and outstanding. All I will say is Kira’s affinity with the sea is not entirely natural. Some chapters are told from Caleb’s point-of-view (one of the visiting teenagers) and these provided many of the puzzle pieces.
One thing that almost guarantees my love of a book is twists that I honestly didn’t see coming and Fathom has plenty. No character feels safe and when the action really starts to get going, I felt Kira and Caleb’s fear right alongside them.
Fathom had me feeling the entire emotional spectrum, I devoured it in a day. With a mixture of first love, a plot filled with emotional twist and a heart wrenching climax, I can only hope this is just beginning for Kira and Co. Fans of Rachel Vincent’s Soul Screamers series will want to look out for this one!
Sexual content: Kissing
Originally reviewed for and posted at Vampire Book Club
Rating (out of 5): 4.5 Stars
Fathom is a beautifully crafted tale of ancient Celtic legends and the difficulties of growing up with emotional scars.
An awful family tragedy has both literally and figuratively haunted 16-year-old Kira Callihan for most of her life. Growing up in California with her father and grandmother, Kira finds it difficult to live with the memories of the night her mother killed her sister then threw herself into the ocean. It’s even harder when her classmates whisper behind her back, wondering if she will turn out the same. Shy and withdrawn, she takes solace in her best friend Sean and their daily swims.
When a group of teenagers comes into their little tourist town and a house party spirals out of control, Kira’s world is turned on its head. Battling with mysteries she doesn’t understand, and feelings she’s not sure she wants to, Kira begins to question everything around her, including herself.
The beginning of Fathom has an atmospheric style to it that reminded me of classic ghost stories. Describing the moment when Kira first sees what she thinks is her mother’s ghost had me flashing back to images of The Ring (yep, creepy!). Whilst this gothic feeling continues throughout, Merrie Destefano balances it brilliantly with Kira’s slightly awkward and sarcastic nature. The character description, ranging from the Paperdoll mean girls that torment her at school to the creatures from Celtic mythology, are so vivid that I had no trouble losing myself in this world.
I won’t go into too much detail about the supernatural element, as discovering it is part of the journey you take with Kira (spoiler-free review FTW, as Chelsea would say!), but suffice to say the world building is unique and outstanding. All I will say is Kira’s affinity with the sea is not entirely natural. Some chapters are told from Caleb’s point-of-view (one of the visiting teenagers) and these provided many of the puzzle pieces.
One thing that almost guarantees my love of a book is twists that I honestly didn’t see coming and Fathom has plenty. No character feels safe and when the action really starts to get going, I felt Kira and Caleb’s fear right alongside them.
Fathom had me feeling the entire emotional spectrum, I devoured it in a day. With a mixture of first love, a plot filled with emotional twist and a heart wrenching climax, I can only hope this is just beginning for Kira and Co. Fans of Rachel Vincent’s Soul Screamers series will want to look out for this one!
Sexual content: Kissing
January 7, 2019
3,5 stars! this review was first published on: https://thebookdutchesses.wordpress.c...
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"Because now she was more than my secret love. She was also my friend. And friends don't walk away, even when death looms near."
The author made the book sound quite intriguing so I really wanted to read it. I haven't read to many books surrounding seacreatures/myths/legends so to say and this was a great one to get me going. I I was definitely curious while reading the book, there are some unspoken things that you just really want to figure out and that was done quite well. However some of the 'discoveries' seemed quite sudden, the way you find out what Caleb is was a bit disappointing to me. The pacing seemed off at times and that took away some of the enjoyment. I did immensely enjoy reading about these Celtic legends and liked the overall stories. But some of the decisions didn't feel logical to me, especially the decisions surrounding the ending.
I liked Kira as a main character and understood her for most of the story. However, like I said some decisions towards the ending didn't come natural to me and I think the story and Kira's development were a bit rushed there. Riley was a very interesting character and after learning more about her I could definitely see where she was coming from and everything she did made sense even though I didn't agree with her or even like her all that much haha. Like Candyce said, Kira's grandma and Sean were great character and were very lovable. Caleb did seem a bit less developed than Kira, Riley and Sean. His actions at the end of the story felt very sudden and weren't all too believable in my opinion. Lynn seemed like an unneccesary character. She was there for one important scene and then kind of took off. I would've liked more involvement for her. I think the ending should've been a bit more developed, both character wise and plot wise for the story to become even better.
I very much enjoyed this world, it was described so well and livid. It felt like I was there and I could hear the ocean and the treebranches. This was very well done and it fit so well with the Celtic legends. It made me enjoy the story and made it a pretty quick read. If you like to read about sea or Celtic legends and myths I would definitely recommend this book!
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"Because now she was more than my secret love. She was also my friend. And friends don't walk away, even when death looms near."
The author made the book sound quite intriguing so I really wanted to read it. I haven't read to many books surrounding seacreatures/myths/legends so to say and this was a great one to get me going. I I was definitely curious while reading the book, there are some unspoken things that you just really want to figure out and that was done quite well. However some of the 'discoveries' seemed quite sudden, the way you find out what Caleb is was a bit disappointing to me. The pacing seemed off at times and that took away some of the enjoyment. I did immensely enjoy reading about these Celtic legends and liked the overall stories. But some of the decisions didn't feel logical to me, especially the decisions surrounding the ending.
I liked Kira as a main character and understood her for most of the story. However, like I said some decisions towards the ending didn't come natural to me and I think the story and Kira's development were a bit rushed there. Riley was a very interesting character and after learning more about her I could definitely see where she was coming from and everything she did made sense even though I didn't agree with her or even like her all that much haha. Like Candyce said, Kira's grandma and Sean were great character and were very lovable. Caleb did seem a bit less developed than Kira, Riley and Sean. His actions at the end of the story felt very sudden and weren't all too believable in my opinion. Lynn seemed like an unneccesary character. She was there for one important scene and then kind of took off. I would've liked more involvement for her. I think the ending should've been a bit more developed, both character wise and plot wise for the story to become even better.
I very much enjoyed this world, it was described so well and livid. It felt like I was there and I could hear the ocean and the treebranches. This was very well done and it fit so well with the Celtic legends. It made me enjoy the story and made it a pretty quick read. If you like to read about sea or Celtic legends and myths I would definitely recommend this book!
October 31, 2012
I love Merrie Destefano's adult urban fantasy fiction and when I learned that she was writing a full-length young adult novel I just knew I had to read it. With her flair for writing unusual characters and plot lines with unexpected twists and turns she never disappoints and her new book Fathom is no exception - in fact it's my favorite book from Merrie! She combines the struggles of a girl struggling with fitting in in high school with a dash of mystery and a spooky Celtic legend that makes this the absolutely perfect Halloween tale.
Kira Callahan's mom and little sister mysteriously vanished years ago. Kira can still picture the blood and hear the screams from that night. Even now at 16 she can't escape the nightmares and the haunting memories. Living with her dad and Irish grandmother she's grown up on Celtic legends and stories and something about them intrigues her. One day, after a group of beautiful strangers show up at Crescent Moon Bay she learns that there is much more to her past and her future that she never thought possible. She also learns why she is so drawn to the water and its cold, crashing waves.
In a world of YA dystopian fiction and vampires and angels it's refreshing to read a novel centered around ancient tales of Selkies and sea monsters. Destefano does an excellent job of making Kira likeable and relatable while still making her completely unique and interesting. I can see a possible love triangle taking shape between Kira, her friend Sean and "new guy", Caleb which could be very interesting especially since we learn some interesting tidbits about both Sean, Caleb and the Selkie legend. Fathom's ending is most definitely a cliff-hanger and I hope Ms. Destefano doesn't keep us waiting too long to see what happens next!
Note: Isn't the cover great? It fits the story so well. As of right now this is only available in e-book form but it's soon to be released in paperback!
~ My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ~
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
Kira Callahan's mom and little sister mysteriously vanished years ago. Kira can still picture the blood and hear the screams from that night. Even now at 16 she can't escape the nightmares and the haunting memories. Living with her dad and Irish grandmother she's grown up on Celtic legends and stories and something about them intrigues her. One day, after a group of beautiful strangers show up at Crescent Moon Bay she learns that there is much more to her past and her future that she never thought possible. She also learns why she is so drawn to the water and its cold, crashing waves.
In a world of YA dystopian fiction and vampires and angels it's refreshing to read a novel centered around ancient tales of Selkies and sea monsters. Destefano does an excellent job of making Kira likeable and relatable while still making her completely unique and interesting. I can see a possible love triangle taking shape between Kira, her friend Sean and "new guy", Caleb which could be very interesting especially since we learn some interesting tidbits about both Sean, Caleb and the Selkie legend. Fathom's ending is most definitely a cliff-hanger and I hope Ms. Destefano doesn't keep us waiting too long to see what happens next!
Note: Isn't the cover great? It fits the story so well. As of right now this is only available in e-book form but it's soon to be released in paperback!
~ My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ~
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
July 15, 2013
so far I am Loving this book full review to come soon but really so far I definitely recommend it!
Alright! finally have some time to write a review for this Amazing book.
First things first: WoW. I am not traditionally into mermaid tales, not that i am against them but I have never thought "hey, this looks good" about any books that pertain to them. This book has really won me over. I read another book called Surface not to long ago that was about mermaids and it gave me the incentive to read this book. While surface sparked my interest Fathom set it on fire. Merrie Destefano has created a Really nifty premise for this series and also very awesome lore to build her world around. I am of Irish decent so the reference to selkies and what not was very cool, especially since i dont read to many books that use it well. I am very much looking forward to more character development in the next books to really define who we are reading about.
I read this book in one day and it was so good i stopped reading it in the first quarter to post on here how much i already liked it. This book is a quick read and envelopes you into the world of the main character. The ending makes you want to know whats going to happen next.
I think one of my favorite things is that the main character is not a "mary sue" ( a term that another person on good reads used and i fell in love with) she is very "normal" she is "real" so to say. She isnt popular, her beauty is overlooked, her talents are within reason and most importantly her love interest is in love with her because of who she is. It isnt instant love. i have to say i HATED that about twilight; Edward (a century old being) sees this highschool student and is immediately in love with her. Even though i read the books more than once i never felt like Edward knew and loved Bella for any reason other than he couldnt read her mind and she smelled good. In Fathom the love interest has grown to love the main character for all her flaws and her positive attributes. I am Sincerly hoping that in the next books Merrie delves into those relationships forming, why they work, why the people have formed a connection and what about the people keeps the bond between them.
Bottom Line:
READ this BOOK. Do it.
Alright! finally have some time to write a review for this Amazing book.
First things first: WoW. I am not traditionally into mermaid tales, not that i am against them but I have never thought "hey, this looks good" about any books that pertain to them. This book has really won me over. I read another book called Surface not to long ago that was about mermaids and it gave me the incentive to read this book. While surface sparked my interest Fathom set it on fire. Merrie Destefano has created a Really nifty premise for this series and also very awesome lore to build her world around. I am of Irish decent so the reference to selkies and what not was very cool, especially since i dont read to many books that use it well. I am very much looking forward to more character development in the next books to really define who we are reading about.
I read this book in one day and it was so good i stopped reading it in the first quarter to post on here how much i already liked it. This book is a quick read and envelopes you into the world of the main character. The ending makes you want to know whats going to happen next.
I think one of my favorite things is that the main character is not a "mary sue" ( a term that another person on good reads used and i fell in love with) she is very "normal" she is "real" so to say. She isnt popular, her beauty is overlooked, her talents are within reason and most importantly her love interest is in love with her because of who she is. It isnt instant love. i have to say i HATED that about twilight; Edward (a century old being) sees this highschool student and is immediately in love with her. Even though i read the books more than once i never felt like Edward knew and loved Bella for any reason other than he couldnt read her mind and she smelled good. In Fathom the love interest has grown to love the main character for all her flaws and her positive attributes. I am Sincerly hoping that in the next books Merrie delves into those relationships forming, why they work, why the people have formed a connection and what about the people keeps the bond between them.
Bottom Line:
READ this BOOK. Do it.
July 9, 2013
I have a weak spot for mermaid stories and alternating POVs. This book had both. It was a quick and engaging read with some really memorable characters. I loved the relationship between Sean and Kira. It was sweet and seemed natural for their friendship to bloom into something more. However, the quick, spontaneous relationship between Caleb and Kira seemed less when compared with that friendship. This insta-connection was important for the end of the book, but I wished that there had been a build up and not just an magic friendship that no knows limits.
I also wished somethings had been explained a little better. For the first 2/3 of the book I was kinda mystified by the Selkie lore. I realize that we live in a world where authors show don't tell, but I was longing for a little bit of clarification. I am still not sure how the familiars work. Can anyone be a familiar? How do you sign up to be a familiar? Are they allowed to tell others - like could Brianne tell her parents. She mentions at one point that her parents were becoming uncomfortable with her being a familiar so was she able to tell them.
I loved the relationship between Kira and her dad and Gram. So many YA book heroines have strained relationships with their parents. I just wished that Dad and Gram could have been up front and honest with Kira. The scenes where Dad was having some health concerns were touching and really showed how strong their bond was.
The character of Kira had depth and was well written. The boys seemed like cookie cutter good guys. I didn't even know Sean was a football player until he was in danger of being kicked off the team. The novel was short, so there could have been a few more scenes showing either Sean or Caleb a little more in-depth.
I know that there will be a sequel, but I felt like we were teased by mention on a couple of occasions about Riley's tattoos and the prospect of another tribe that was not so terribly friendly. I wished this had been fleshed out more in this book, even if it was to set up a sequel.
So I guess I am saying is that I wanted more - more information, more world building and more characterization. I enjoyed what I read, and I wanted to fully immerse myself in Kira's world.
I also wished somethings had been explained a little better. For the first 2/3 of the book I was kinda mystified by the Selkie lore. I realize that we live in a world where authors show don't tell, but I was longing for a little bit of clarification. I am still not sure how the familiars work. Can anyone be a familiar? How do you sign up to be a familiar? Are they allowed to tell others - like could Brianne tell her parents. She mentions at one point that her parents were becoming uncomfortable with her being a familiar so was she able to tell them.
I loved the relationship between Kira and her dad and Gram. So many YA book heroines have strained relationships with their parents. I just wished that Dad and Gram could have been up front and honest with Kira. The scenes where Dad was having some health concerns were touching and really showed how strong their bond was.
The character of Kira had depth and was well written. The boys seemed like cookie cutter good guys. I didn't even know Sean was a football player until he was in danger of being kicked off the team. The novel was short, so there could have been a few more scenes showing either Sean or Caleb a little more in-depth.
I know that there will be a sequel, but I felt like we were teased by mention on a couple of occasions about Riley's tattoos and the prospect of another tribe that was not so terribly friendly. I wished this had been fleshed out more in this book, even if it was to set up a sequel.
So I guess I am saying is that I wanted more - more information, more world building and more characterization. I enjoyed what I read, and I wanted to fully immerse myself in Kira's world.
July 7, 2013
This is definitely one of the better mermaid/siren/selkie books I've read. It was fun to have the Celtic mythology, one that isn't quite as popular in today's literature (at least that I've come across) so I loved having that to teach me while I was reading.
First off, I want to say how much I got frustrated with Kira. She was such a pushover! Literally whatever anyone wanted to do to her they could and she would just passively let it happen. It was the case with the Paper Dolls, Lucy specifically, with Brianna and Riley and her dad and her grandma. Every single person walked all over her. While I understand that some of it was to protect her--especially in her grandma's case--it still goes against my nature so much. I did a little happy dance when she finally stood up to Lucy at school; I just wish she had done that with everyone else.
Especially with Riley!! Holy crap that girl pissed me off so much. Her reasoning for all of her actions were ludicrous and just made me angry. I hate when people make decisions that have no real merit. Riley's hatred of Kira was unfair and idiotic, especially when
I loved the whole sea monster bit. If more mermaid books had sea monsters like that I'd be in love. Mermaids/sirens/selkies are the only ones who would know if there were deep sea monsters like the giant squid, I want to see that stuff! And this book delivered that in mass amounts, especially as the plot went on. I was so incredibly excited about it that I kept accidentally jumping ahead in the story only having to go back and read what I has skipped in my haste to reach the monster.
If the focus of the series stays on the Hinquememem and not the love triangle with Caleb and Sean I will gladly continue this series.
First off, I want to say how much I got frustrated with Kira. She was such a pushover! Literally whatever anyone wanted to do to her they could and she would just passively let it happen. It was the case with the Paper Dolls, Lucy specifically, with Brianna and Riley and her dad and her grandma. Every single person walked all over her. While I understand that some of it was to protect her--especially in her grandma's case--it still goes against my nature so much. I did a little happy dance when she finally stood up to Lucy at school; I just wish she had done that with everyone else.
Especially with Riley!! Holy crap that girl pissed me off so much. Her reasoning for all of her actions were ludicrous and just made me angry. I hate when people make decisions that have no real merit. Riley's hatred of Kira was unfair and idiotic, especially when
I loved the whole sea monster bit. If more mermaid books had sea monsters like that I'd be in love. Mermaids/sirens/selkies are the only ones who would know if there were deep sea monsters like the giant squid, I want to see that stuff! And this book delivered that in mass amounts, especially as the plot went on. I was so incredibly excited about it that I kept accidentally jumping ahead in the story only having to go back and read what I has skipped in my haste to reach the monster.
If the focus of the series stays on the Hinquememem and not the love triangle with Caleb and Sean I will gladly continue this series.
November 17, 2015
I'll start with the negatives, just to get them out of the way:
-There is a love triangle.
-The main character, Kira, is a Twilight fan :P.
-There are a few places where I thought reactions were...off. Like, a little more angst than necessary in a place or two, and two places where I really thought there should be more emotion/description and a bit of freaking out.
That said....
I was happy dancing through this whole book because I loved the voice. Kira is smart and just a little snarky, but it's *not* that annoying teen snarky-snark voice that grates your nerves after the first two chapters. Ms. Destefano's writing voice is genuine and realistic for a teen girl and really made me connect with Kira.
(The story is also partly told from Caleb's pov, and I didn't connect as well with him, but his parts were also fewer and farther between--but I did like him a lot!)
I loved all the addition of the folklore, sprinkled in here and there and woven into the story. And all the characters were distinctive. Loved Sean and Riley especially.
And the writing was beautifully descriptive, with poetic rhythm, and so many places where I savored every word choice.
Also--the story stands on its own, but the door opens at the end for a sequel and I very much hope there is going to be one!
My Website
Find me on Facebook
My YA fantasy series:
book 1
book 2
-There is a love triangle.
-The main character, Kira, is a Twilight fan :P.
-There are a few places where I thought reactions were...off. Like, a little more angst than necessary in a place or two, and two places where I really thought there should be more emotion/description and a bit of freaking out.
That said....
I was happy dancing through this whole book because I loved the voice. Kira is smart and just a little snarky, but it's *not* that annoying teen snarky-snark voice that grates your nerves after the first two chapters. Ms. Destefano's writing voice is genuine and realistic for a teen girl and really made me connect with Kira.
(The story is also partly told from Caleb's pov, and I didn't connect as well with him, but his parts were also fewer and farther between--but I did like him a lot!)
I loved all the addition of the folklore, sprinkled in here and there and woven into the story. And all the characters were distinctive. Loved Sean and Riley especially.
And the writing was beautifully descriptive, with poetic rhythm, and so many places where I savored every word choice.
Also--the story stands on its own, but the door opens at the end for a sequel and I very much hope there is going to be one!
My Website
Find me on Facebook
My YA fantasy series:
book 1
book 2
Want to read
October 9, 2012Fathom is Merrie’s first foray into the young adult genre. I have read both her adult books, Afterlife and Feast, and loved them. You can find my reviews here and here. Merrie has a certain style of writing that sets her apart from other writers. Her prose has a rich dream like feel with dark undertones. I was glad to see she continues this style in her Y.A.
There is mystery and suspense, like you would find in a ghost story, and a monster, but I really can’t talk about the plot without giving away the many secrets Kira discovers about her past and future. I liked Kira’s character; she lives in a small town with the stigma of what her mother did, but with a loving father and grandmother she manages to be a pretty normal teenager. The romance is sweet and more about being a best friend, trusting one another and first kisses. There are two boys vying for Kira’s affections but by the end of the story she makes a choice which is something not often seen in YA series.
YA covers a broad age group; some YA stories aren't for the middle school group (11-13) but this story definitely would be. I think it would be a refreshing and exciting tale mixing Irish mythology with a little bit of horror for them without having too much of the teenage angsty overkill. Of course older kids, like myself, will enjoy it too.
You should give Merrie a try if you haven’t already. Like I said earlier, her writing style is a nice change of pace from mainstream YA and more of an experience than just a book you read.
4.5 tentacled Sheep
http://www.ismellsheep.com/2012/10/sh...
There is mystery and suspense, like you would find in a ghost story, and a monster, but I really can’t talk about the plot without giving away the many secrets Kira discovers about her past and future. I liked Kira’s character; she lives in a small town with the stigma of what her mother did, but with a loving father and grandmother she manages to be a pretty normal teenager. The romance is sweet and more about being a best friend, trusting one another and first kisses. There are two boys vying for Kira’s affections but by the end of the story she makes a choice which is something not often seen in YA series.
YA covers a broad age group; some YA stories aren't for the middle school group (11-13) but this story definitely would be. I think it would be a refreshing and exciting tale mixing Irish mythology with a little bit of horror for them without having too much of the teenage angsty overkill. Of course older kids, like myself, will enjoy it too.
You should give Merrie a try if you haven’t already. Like I said earlier, her writing style is a nice change of pace from mainstream YA and more of an experience than just a book you read.
4.5 tentacled Sheep
http://www.ismellsheep.com/2012/10/sh...
October 10, 2012
Ten years ago, Kira Callahan’s mother supposedly killed Kira’s younger sister and then threw herself off a cliff into the ocean, never to be heard from again. Now at sixteen, Kira wants nothing more than to hang out with her best friend, Sean, and swim in the ocean, the one place she can drown out the voices from her past.
Kira lives with her father who still mourns his lost love and her grandmother, a strong-willed Gaelic woman who tells Kira tales of her heritage and myths of the sea. But are they really myths? And is Kira connected to the ocean in ways she could never imagine?
When Kira and Sean attend a party hosted by their friend, Brianna, Kira’s true feelings for Sean emerge, and a new group of teens show up. Caleb is gorgeous and Kira is drawn to him, but isn’t sure why. Riley is a deceptive girl in the group who lures Kira into the ocean and attempts to hold her underwater. In one night, Kira’s world is changed forever.
Forget about vampires and werewolves. Destefano has brought to life a mythical world that’s not only fascinating but pulls you in and doesn’t let go. This is a fantastic book. I had trouble putting it down and found myself reading late into the night to finish it. It’s a story of love and friendship, sacrifices and loyalty. Kira is a wonderful female protagonist and her family and friends are great characters. The two worlds that exist for her are woven together so beautifully, I can only hope another book is on it’s way and Kira’s story is not over.
Kira lives with her father who still mourns his lost love and her grandmother, a strong-willed Gaelic woman who tells Kira tales of her heritage and myths of the sea. But are they really myths? And is Kira connected to the ocean in ways she could never imagine?
When Kira and Sean attend a party hosted by their friend, Brianna, Kira’s true feelings for Sean emerge, and a new group of teens show up. Caleb is gorgeous and Kira is drawn to him, but isn’t sure why. Riley is a deceptive girl in the group who lures Kira into the ocean and attempts to hold her underwater. In one night, Kira’s world is changed forever.
Forget about vampires and werewolves. Destefano has brought to life a mythical world that’s not only fascinating but pulls you in and doesn’t let go. This is a fantastic book. I had trouble putting it down and found myself reading late into the night to finish it. It’s a story of love and friendship, sacrifices and loyalty. Kira is a wonderful female protagonist and her family and friends are great characters. The two worlds that exist for her are woven together so beautifully, I can only hope another book is on it’s way and Kira’s story is not over.
July 23, 2013
First of all, I have to let you know that this review will be short. I can't use English very well so i can't write long texts.
Fathom is the story of Kira, a girl who lived her entire life as an outcast after her mother's and sister's death. After her sixteen birthday, a strange group of teenagers appear in Crescent Moon Bay. When Kira is been kept underwater by the girls of this group she changes into a Selkie. That's when it all begins. Kira has to look back her whole life from a different perspective. Is she human or Selkie? Where does she belong? And did her mother really killed her sister and then committed suicide? maybe not...
I always loved fantasy stories, but the stories that really excite me are the once that mix fantasy with reality and this story is one of them. The legend of Selkies and real life are so beautifully blended that they give you the illusion that this might be a true story.
The story is been told by the main characters (Kira and Caleb, a Selkie). The reader is not just an observer who knows everything and waits for the characters to find out. We learn the story through the characters. We see what they see, hear what they hear, we know what they know. That keeps the suspense in high level! I love it when writers do that!!!
I loved this book! the story, the telling, everything. I actually searched for more information about the Selkie legend because of this book. I'm really thankful for having the chance to read it! Thank you Merrie Destefano!
Fathom is the story of Kira, a girl who lived her entire life as an outcast after her mother's and sister's death. After her sixteen birthday, a strange group of teenagers appear in Crescent Moon Bay. When Kira is been kept underwater by the girls of this group she changes into a Selkie. That's when it all begins. Kira has to look back her whole life from a different perspective. Is she human or Selkie? Where does she belong? And did her mother really killed her sister and then committed suicide? maybe not...
I always loved fantasy stories, but the stories that really excite me are the once that mix fantasy with reality and this story is one of them. The legend of Selkies and real life are so beautifully blended that they give you the illusion that this might be a true story.
The story is been told by the main characters (Kira and Caleb, a Selkie). The reader is not just an observer who knows everything and waits for the characters to find out. We learn the story through the characters. We see what they see, hear what they hear, we know what they know. That keeps the suspense in high level! I love it when writers do that!!!
I loved this book! the story, the telling, everything. I actually searched for more information about the Selkie legend because of this book. I'm really thankful for having the chance to read it! Thank you Merrie Destefano!
October 1, 2012
What a fantastic story. I loved both Kira and Caleb's voices. There was so much emotion in this book. And celtic legends? YES! I loved it. I loved the moments when Kira found out what she was and what her mother had been. I felt so connected to the characters, I felt what they felt and that's definitely something I always look for in a novel. This book was so beautifully written and mysterious. The twists and turns, the heartbreaking climax and the heroines certainty at the end that there was only one thing she could do. And the sacrifice of a boy who not only loved her, but looked on her as a dear friend. This book had a little bit of everything in it. Kira's grief throughout, the memories of the last night with her mother and sister, broke my heart. The cruelty of kids who were once her friends because of something that had been out of her control, because of something they couldn't ever understand. My stomach was in knots at times, grieving right along with Kira. So, to sum it up, I LOVED this book!!! And I hope there's going to be a sequel because the ending definitely leaves it open for another book! :)
October 2, 2012
I love everything Destefano has written so far, so when I got the chance to read Fathom I jumped at it of course.
And Fathom didn't disappoint.
I liked Kira (who's one of the two narrators of this story) from the start. She's haunted by the memory of her mother and sister and still has to find a way to cope with the loss. This makes her vulnerable, but it also made her strong in other ways. I very much enjoyed getting to know her and I wanted her to find happiness.
The other narrator in this story is Caleb. I really liked his voice. Caleb sounds more mature, more contemplative than Kira and even while you get to see inside his head he remains a bit of a mystery. I kept wondering what his motivations were and why he feels drawn to Crescent Moon Bay and to Kira.
The story is very suspenseful and it kept surprising me. Just when I thought I knew where things would lead, the story took a turn I hadn't seen coming. It was haunting, creepy and emotional. Destefano's writing gave it a fairytale-like feel that fitted the mythology she used in this story.
All in all this is a beautiful Paranormal Young Adult read and I hope Destefano will write more books in this setting.
And Fathom didn't disappoint.
I liked Kira (who's one of the two narrators of this story) from the start. She's haunted by the memory of her mother and sister and still has to find a way to cope with the loss. This makes her vulnerable, but it also made her strong in other ways. I very much enjoyed getting to know her and I wanted her to find happiness.
The other narrator in this story is Caleb. I really liked his voice. Caleb sounds more mature, more contemplative than Kira and even while you get to see inside his head he remains a bit of a mystery. I kept wondering what his motivations were and why he feels drawn to Crescent Moon Bay and to Kira.
The story is very suspenseful and it kept surprising me. Just when I thought I knew where things would lead, the story took a turn I hadn't seen coming. It was haunting, creepy and emotional. Destefano's writing gave it a fairytale-like feel that fitted the mythology she used in this story.
All in all this is a beautiful Paranormal Young Adult read and I hope Destefano will write more books in this setting.
July 22, 2013
I enjoyed this book, I got side tracked while reading (with mundane life) but there was something there that made me want to get back and finish it. What I really liked was that it was not predictable, but it still ticked the boxes to give me my YA kick.
The main character, Kira, is likeable, she's had a hard life and she isn't depressing and she isn't annoyingly cute. Her main man (i am not revealing any spoilers) is absolutely adorable. Their interaction and conversations gives you that little warm feeling. The secondary characters help juice out the main character's personality but does little for themselves.
The plot has lots of twists and turns and to be honest I didn't see them coming. The plot is engaging and it keeps you reading, there was a little lull but nothing off putting.
The merperson mythology was not entirely new but it had unique twists that was fresh. This was one thing I could do with more of is the history. I would like more background, more legends. Also I would like more world building as sometimes had trouble imagine he scenes.
I will be looking forward to the sequel, the book leaves us hanging at the end but it still satisfying end.
The main character, Kira, is likeable, she's had a hard life and she isn't depressing and she isn't annoyingly cute. Her main man (i am not revealing any spoilers) is absolutely adorable. Their interaction and conversations gives you that little warm feeling. The secondary characters help juice out the main character's personality but does little for themselves.
The plot has lots of twists and turns and to be honest I didn't see them coming. The plot is engaging and it keeps you reading, there was a little lull but nothing off putting.
The merperson mythology was not entirely new but it had unique twists that was fresh. This was one thing I could do with more of is the history. I would like more background, more legends. Also I would like more world building as sometimes had trouble imagine he scenes.
I will be looking forward to the sequel, the book leaves us hanging at the end but it still satisfying end.
July 20, 2013
I would like to thank the author for gifting me this book for a honest review, Thanks!!
We are taken to the small town of Cresent Moon Bay, Kira is a sixteen year old girl living with her Dad and Grandma and trying to live life as normal a possible. Kira is still trying to cope with the deaths of her mother and sister, she doesnt have many frineds, just her best friend Sean, who has always been there for her. Then there are some new visitors to the small town and group of teenagers, one them being Caleb. Then she goes to a party one night and is almost drowned and things get crazy from there for Kira. Truths come out about her and her family. Kira must make some difficult choices.
I really loved this book. I loved the mystery and legends in this story. This book had a little of everything, some romance, mystery and comedy. Kira was great, shes funny but also shes still dealing with alot and can act out sometimes. Riley was really annoying to me and plain mean. I loved Caleb and at the end of the book I was not happy, shocked. I really hope theres a second book!!!
November 3, 2012
Fathom is a beautifully expressed story about a girl discovering herself and her recently uncovered selkie heritage. Even that description lacks the overall experience of Kira's plight. Her life has been filled with tragedy and social stigma that shape her rather unique personality. The story itself is told from Kira's and Caleb's, a selkie, perspective that give a well rounded view of events. I was more than a little impressed with this book. Not only does it surpass ALL my expectations for YA work, I found it impossible to put down. I highly recommend this book to readers that enjoy a more adult feel to their YA books.
Merrie Destefano was kind enough to send me this book.
Merrie Destefano was kind enough to send me this book.
July 8, 2013
I got this book as a read for review and would like to thank the author for the opportunity.
I really liked this book! I really felt for Kira. After losing her mother and sister, everyone treats her badly at school. Sean was really sweet! I loved that he stuck by her. He was appropriate that he became her familiar. I had my fingers crossed that she would end up with Caleb! I almost cried at the end! I wanted to reach through the book and slap Riley silly! I'm glad she got her family back but to lose Caleb in the process was terrible! I really hope she saves him and somehow Ethan is still alive! I know everyone can't get their HEA but come on! Kira really deserves one I think!
I really liked this book! I really felt for Kira. After losing her mother and sister, everyone treats her badly at school. Sean was really sweet! I loved that he stuck by her. He was appropriate that he became her familiar. I had my fingers crossed that she would end up with Caleb! I almost cried at the end! I wanted to reach through the book and slap Riley silly! I'm glad she got her family back but to lose Caleb in the process was terrible! I really hope she saves him and somehow Ethan is still alive! I know everyone can't get their HEA but come on! Kira really deserves one I think!
October 27, 2012
There's a dark, almost haunting quality to this book. I enjoyed it, and yet, the ending left me feeling sad and vaguely dissatisfied. Poor Caleb. Talk about getting the short end of the stick.
I hope the author has a sequel planned, because the story doesn't feel complete the way it is. There has to be more.
3.5 stars.
I hope the author has a sequel planned, because the story doesn't feel complete the way it is. There has to be more.
3.5 stars.
May 30, 2015
Merrie Destefano's work is indeed intriguing and that's why the cover of her newest book fits her and her writing so well. I am eager to read and absorb the newest depths Merrie leads the reader into. An exciting journey, to be sure.
September 5, 2012
Destefano takes me to places and settings that are beyond my imagination and I love the journey. Her characters are real raw at times evoking feelings that touch my spirit. I lose myself in her books, her rich use of language and intriguing story lines pull me in every time.
October 17, 2012
*full review to come*
Want to read
June 10, 2013Review to come soon!
November 5, 2012
This was a very surprising great read. I can't wait for book two to come out!
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