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Laerka
Laerka is a Southern Gothic tale of rescue. It features a group of teenagers and a Russian crime ring that sells girls to night clubs in Savannah, Georgia. One particular victim, Laerka, is a Danish girl who transforms into a mermaid when in water. Her pursuer, the crime boss, changes into a "Vodyanoy" dragon when he is on the hunt. Stella Delaney finds the first victim of the crime ring floating face down in the marsh. Can she save Learka from this same fate? Is she in danger, herself? And could Laerka be a crook herself? She and the traffickers share the same prison tattoo. So who, in this forbidding landscape, can be trusted?
275 pages, Paperback
First published November 25, 2016
2 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 28, 2020
Read this review and more on my blogThe Book Return Blog
'Laerka' is a modern-day retelling of the fairytale 'The Little Mermaid'. Stella is a teenager in modern-day Savannah, Georgia. While working a part-time job in Savannah's port, she sees a women (who she thinks is a mermaid) jump from a Russian container ship into the ocean.
What I Loved
I thought the choice of Savannah, Georgia as the setting for 'Laerka' was a great choice. Savannah is such a unique and beautiful place. It also has a rich history and a vibrant port culture. This makes it the perfect choice for 'Laerka' . The historical and nautical information was interesting and helped to add to the story line.
'Stella' herself as a character was well-rounded with a unique voice. Even though she is a teenage girl, she is very strong and self motived. She helps her father with his fishing business and is able to drive and navigate though Savannah's waterways with precision. I also loved the absent-minded professor that 'Stella' worked for. He was quirky and funny.
Another great 'character' was 'Laerka's' mermaid dress. It was able to not only transform the looks of the wearer but to also transform the way the way the wearer feels about themselves.
What Left Me Wanting More
One of the things that confused me a bit were major events that were just kind of brushed off without any follow through. Such as when 'Stella' finds a dead body in the canal and reports it to 911. The story never revealed who she was or who killed her. Another instance was when 'Stella' was told she could identify 'Larsa's sister by her ankle scar (seemingly from a fishhook). The whole incident with the fishhook was never explained but the characters spoke of it often.
The paranormal aspect of this book also confused me. I was totally could not figure out whether or not 'Laerka' was an actual mermaid or not and whether the man chasing her was really a river monster or not. The whole paranormal instances just seemed to be stuck into the story.
My Final Verdict
I really liked the premise of 'Laerka'. A teenaged girl discovers a mermaid and brings her home to her family. It is a unique twist to humanity's fascination with mermaids. 'Laerka' is a well paced story with a wondered backdrop and a strong female character.This review was originally posted on The Book return...
September 5, 2018
From the most stunning cover I have ever laid my eyes upon, comes an equally stunning tale which mixes fantastical elements with all the all to real monsters of human trafficking.
The setting of the novel spoke to my heart as I have visited Savannah Georgia in the past and think it is the perfect location for a tale such as the one weaved within these pages.
If you are looking for a novel which mixes strength of character, real life situations, and mythical elements together to instantly pull you into the story, this book is definitely for you!
***Copy received from author in exchange for an honest review***
The setting of the novel spoke to my heart as I have visited Savannah Georgia in the past and think it is the perfect location for a tale such as the one weaved within these pages.
If you are looking for a novel which mixes strength of character, real life situations, and mythical elements together to instantly pull you into the story, this book is definitely for you!
***Copy received from author in exchange for an honest review***
December 19, 2018
I read 38% of this book and that alone prompted a reading slump.
All I have to say is: nope, nope to all of it, don't pick this up unless you want really messy writing.
All I have to say is: nope, nope to all of it, don't pick this up unless you want really messy writing.
February 9, 2017
Beautiful prose. A captivating voice. Powerful imagery.
Laerka has the bones of a literary fiction novel with its masterful styling and intoxicating touches of humor, but it’s got the meat of a thriller as it uncovers a human trafficking ring. But that’s not all, folks. Stella, a sixteen-year-old girl with a heart the size of Texas, weaves in the musings of a young adult, furthering this book’s genre nonconformity. Last but not least we’re introduced to an incredibly gothic fantasy of mermaids and dragons.
The book opens with Stella watching a girl jump off a ship. At least that’s what she thinks she sees, but can’t confirm it. The prospect of a girl drowning propels her to the rescue, where she inadvertently stumbles upon a girl lying on a beach—Laerka. A mermaid. With a magical dress.
As the plot unfolds, Stella takes Laerka into hiding, only to discover that a Russian mobster, Vodyanoy, is after her and has her sister too. On a rescue mission to help the kidnapped girls from a life of forced prostitution, Stella seeks the help of Elysianne’s “conjure work.” The only problem is that Vodyanoy isn’t an ordinary crime boss. He’s also a dragon with immeasurable powers—and he wants Stella.
It’s a riveting ride with doses of witty prose, vivid scenery, and refreshingly unique characters that make this a well-rounded, compelling novel that fans of a variety of genres would enjoy.
Laerka has the bones of a literary fiction novel with its masterful styling and intoxicating touches of humor, but it’s got the meat of a thriller as it uncovers a human trafficking ring. But that’s not all, folks. Stella, a sixteen-year-old girl with a heart the size of Texas, weaves in the musings of a young adult, furthering this book’s genre nonconformity. Last but not least we’re introduced to an incredibly gothic fantasy of mermaids and dragons.
The book opens with Stella watching a girl jump off a ship. At least that’s what she thinks she sees, but can’t confirm it. The prospect of a girl drowning propels her to the rescue, where she inadvertently stumbles upon a girl lying on a beach—Laerka. A mermaid. With a magical dress.
As the plot unfolds, Stella takes Laerka into hiding, only to discover that a Russian mobster, Vodyanoy, is after her and has her sister too. On a rescue mission to help the kidnapped girls from a life of forced prostitution, Stella seeks the help of Elysianne’s “conjure work.” The only problem is that Vodyanoy isn’t an ordinary crime boss. He’s also a dragon with immeasurable powers—and he wants Stella.
It’s a riveting ride with doses of witty prose, vivid scenery, and refreshingly unique characters that make this a well-rounded, compelling novel that fans of a variety of genres would enjoy.
December 27, 2016
I am giving it two stars by the originality it presents in the world created by the author, but near 70% of the book it began to seem to be padding nowhere and I began to lose interest fast. Laerka mistery was nothing that intrigued me anymore and the same can be said about their mermaid-ish fellas.
April 18, 2017
This book appears to be a modern retelling of The Little Mermaid, set in current-day Savannah, Georgia. It begins with Stella, a teenaged girl working at a tourist spot on the waterfront, watching a woman fall six stories off of a container ship, and --miraculously-- swim away. Stella can't believe what she's seen, and sets out to unravel the mystery of that woman, Laerka. She finds a tangled web of human trafficking, illegal immigration, and shady dragons! I found the book engaging. Ms. Bendoly has a great talent for capturing a southern accent on paper, and in putting you in the boat with Stella as she skims the waterways trying to solve the mystery of Laerka. (And run away from the bad guys, of course.)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews