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Emily Windsnap #7
Emily Windsnap and the Falls of Forgotten Island
While on vacation, Emily Windsnap finds herself swept up in an ancient prophecy as the New York Times best-selling series continues.
Emily is headed to a tropical island for a relaxing vacation with friends and family. And this time, Emily promises her best friend, Shona, there will be absolutely no adventure — just plenty of fun. But somehow excitement always seems to find Emily, and before she knows it, she ends up on the other side of a powerful waterfall on a forgotten island no one else can get to. Well, no one that isn't a half-mer like Emily and her boyfriend, Aaron. The people who live on the island believe in a prophecy that foretells how they can be saved from an imminent, devastating earthquake — and this prophecy seems to revolve around Emily and Aaron, as well as a mysterious, mythic giant. Will they be able to find the giant — and fulfill the prophecy — before it's too late?
Emily is headed to a tropical island for a relaxing vacation with friends and family. And this time, Emily promises her best friend, Shona, there will be absolutely no adventure — just plenty of fun. But somehow excitement always seems to find Emily, and before she knows it, she ends up on the other side of a powerful waterfall on a forgotten island no one else can get to. Well, no one that isn't a half-mer like Emily and her boyfriend, Aaron. The people who live on the island believe in a prophecy that foretells how they can be saved from an imminent, devastating earthquake — and this prophecy seems to revolve around Emily and Aaron, as well as a mysterious, mythic giant. Will they be able to find the giant — and fulfill the prophecy — before it's too late?
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2018
173 people are currently reading
1972 people want to read
About the author
Liz Kessler
78 books957 followersLiz Kessler is the author of three novels about Philippa Fisher as well as the NEW YORK TIMES best-selling Emily Windsnap series. She lives in Manchester, England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
April 13, 2020
Surprising mystery keeps you guessing and reading! The genius that wrote this series continues with more shocking surprises. So lovable! New characters. New ships. Get washed away with the happiness of a wonderful continuation of this perfect series!
February 16, 2021
I really enjoyed this one! It was a lot faster paced than the other Emily Windsnap books, which I greatly appreciated. I also adore the themes of friendship and family in this series. I will admit, Emily did get on my nerves at some points, but overall it was a great read :))
dnf-omg-such-a-let-down
April 1, 2018Before I had requested this book, I did not realize that it was the seventh in this series. After reading it I don’t believe that I have missed anything major by not reading the other six books, but I did not love the story and I had to put it down and try to finish it multiple times.
The MC Emily has the fantastic gift of transforming into a mermaid and having adventures of her own under the sea. That was about the most exciting part of the story as the rest seemed like she was going around picking fights and causing teenager drama with everyone she encountered. The storyline also possessed one of my least favorite tropes- the love triangle. Even though it wasn’t two boys trying to seek Emily’s attention, it was still a triangle because she had to often choose between her boyfriend and her best friend which made the storyline awkward.
Hopefully, this will be the last book in the series as it seemed to wrap up at the end. However, reading other reviews it seems that every book in the series also had a nice wrap-up.
I think that tweenage girls who are seeking adventure might like this story because of the mermaid aspect but would also find the confrontations tedious. I don’t think anyone that’s in the age range of older middle-grade books would like this story. This is not my first middle-grade book as I read them all the time with my own middle-grade children, but I wouldn’t recommend this book to them or to my niece. I apologize that this book just wasn’t for me and that I could not like it. Thank you for allowing me access to the book and for the opportunity to leave this review.
The cover is absolutely stunning and was what drew me in. It’s about the only thing I really didn’t like about the book.
The MC Emily has the fantastic gift of transforming into a mermaid and having adventures of her own under the sea. That was about the most exciting part of the story as the rest seemed like she was going around picking fights and causing teenager drama with everyone she encountered. The storyline also possessed one of my least favorite tropes- the love triangle. Even though it wasn’t two boys trying to seek Emily’s attention, it was still a triangle because she had to often choose between her boyfriend and her best friend which made the storyline awkward.
Hopefully, this will be the last book in the series as it seemed to wrap up at the end. However, reading other reviews it seems that every book in the series also had a nice wrap-up.
I think that tweenage girls who are seeking adventure might like this story because of the mermaid aspect but would also find the confrontations tedious. I don’t think anyone that’s in the age range of older middle-grade books would like this story. This is not my first middle-grade book as I read them all the time with my own middle-grade children, but I wouldn’t recommend this book to them or to my niece. I apologize that this book just wasn’t for me and that I could not like it. Thank you for allowing me access to the book and for the opportunity to leave this review.
The cover is absolutely stunning and was what drew me in. It’s about the only thing I really didn’t like about the book.
March 16, 2018
In this seventh outing with Emily Windsnap, Emily's family, her best friend Shona and her boyfriend Aaron are headed to a tropical island for a relaxing vacation. Emily promises Shona, there will be absolutely no adventure, just plenty of fun and relaxation. It doesn't take long for Emily to go off on a sidetrip with Aaron leaving Shona left out. Shona can't resist catching up with the boat taking the others to Forgotten Island and when Emily sees her, she ends up in the water and they get caught up in a terrible current. This takes a lot out of them both, but adventure always seems to find Emily, and before she knows it, she ends up on the other side of a powerful waterfall on a forgotten island no one else can get to. There is a situation that Emily has to help with that upsets both Shona and Aaron. This book has so much angst wrapped up in a short story. There are tested friendships, danger, young love, fantasy, adventure, and mystery. The way these three friends handle all this shows that they are just kids, but sometimes need to step up to make the right decision. This is another great adventure in this series to interest middle grades readers. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
June 28, 2020
I forget these are children’s books. I started Emily Windsnap when I was about 10 and never got around to finishing the series. With lockdown, I decided to finish it and read them all. How do the books keep getting better? The Falls of the Forgotten Island was such a beautiful story and I loved meeting some new characters and watching their relationship with Emily and her friends grow.
November 24, 2018
This is an average EW story, but it's faster than the others.
Recommended 9+ for romance, friends arguing, and dangerous situations.
Recommended 9+ for romance, friends arguing, and dangerous situations.
May 11, 2018
This is a really cute adventure of a girl that is a sometimes-mermaid and her friends. An island appears in the middle of the ocean. The inhabitants are in trouble. Emily and her friends try to save the day. This is a good book for all ages but is focused on 9-14 year olds.
April 8, 2019
By far the best book in the series so far! Good pace the whole time and some twists I never saw coming! I’m excited for the next one!!!
December 25, 2020
I love the Emily Windsnap series, but this one I was just not a fan of. 😢
May 27, 2022
Not quite as good as some of the other ones in the series but still stellar.
June 12, 2023
now i need books 8 and 9 🙏🏻✨
May 1, 2019
This one definitely wasn't my favorite. I spent a good chunk of the beginning being annoyed with literally every single character except for Emily, especially Shona. I guess maybe she was acting the way most 13-year-olds do in that kind of situation, but it drove me crazy, haha. I did like the new characters, but it wasn't as centered around them as the plotlines usually are so I didn't make as much of a connection with them as I usually would. I did like Aaron's involvement in this one! I definitely would not have been happy if this was the last book in the series, so I'm really glad there's (at least) one more!
March 22, 2018
This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.
I read the original The Tail of Emily Windsnap novel many, many years ago–back when I was actually in its target audience. It honestly read like a standalone, so I was a little nonplussed when a sequel came out, but I went ahead and read and enjoyed it. The story yet again seemed finished, which I was okay with, but then a few years later another book came out. Then another. And another. And another. And now this one. If you haven't been keeping count, that means Falls of Forgotten Island is the seventh book in a series while always seems to be wrapped up and finished at the end of every new installment.
The thing is, though, the reason Kessler can get away with writing so many of these books is that they really are enjoyable reads–especially for a certain demographic of readers, largely made up of tweenage girls. There's always something very appealing about the story of an ordinary girl who can secretly turn into a mermaid and live a whole nother life beneath the waves. Add in the romance plotline which has sprung up in the later books, with Emily's boyfriend Aaron, and it's sure to be a hit with kids who have always secretly wanted Emily's life.
As for me, I have to say that I'm getting rather sick of the Emily Windsnap books by this point. The drama seems rather contrived in this one, with Emily seeming to get into fights with everyone for reasons that are not entirely in her control. Shona get really mad at her for stumbling into yet another dangerous problem in need of a hero to save the day. It's hard to sympathize with her anger, or her desire to basically just leave the island to be destroyed.
At the same time, I do agree with Shona that it's getting kind of ridiculous how many times Emily has stumbled into a deadly scenario that only she (plus Aaron sometimes) can prevent. The premise may be getting rather old, but there's certainly nothing wrong with it. I don't plan on re-reading Falls of Forgotten Island anytime soon, but I won't warn anyone away from it either. If you're a fan of the Emily Windsnap series, let us know in the comments what you think of this latest instalment!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I read the original The Tail of Emily Windsnap novel many, many years ago–back when I was actually in its target audience. It honestly read like a standalone, so I was a little nonplussed when a sequel came out, but I went ahead and read and enjoyed it. The story yet again seemed finished, which I was okay with, but then a few years later another book came out. Then another. And another. And another. And now this one. If you haven't been keeping count, that means Falls of Forgotten Island is the seventh book in a series while always seems to be wrapped up and finished at the end of every new installment.
The thing is, though, the reason Kessler can get away with writing so many of these books is that they really are enjoyable reads–especially for a certain demographic of readers, largely made up of tweenage girls. There's always something very appealing about the story of an ordinary girl who can secretly turn into a mermaid and live a whole nother life beneath the waves. Add in the romance plotline which has sprung up in the later books, with Emily's boyfriend Aaron, and it's sure to be a hit with kids who have always secretly wanted Emily's life.
As for me, I have to say that I'm getting rather sick of the Emily Windsnap books by this point. The drama seems rather contrived in this one, with Emily seeming to get into fights with everyone for reasons that are not entirely in her control. Shona get really mad at her for stumbling into yet another dangerous problem in need of a hero to save the day. It's hard to sympathize with her anger, or her desire to basically just leave the island to be destroyed.
At the same time, I do agree with Shona that it's getting kind of ridiculous how many times Emily has stumbled into a deadly scenario that only she (plus Aaron sometimes) can prevent. The premise may be getting rather old, but there's certainly nothing wrong with it. I don't plan on re-reading Falls of Forgotten Island anytime soon, but I won't warn anyone away from it either. If you're a fan of the Emily Windsnap series, let us know in the comments what you think of this latest instalment!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 4, 2017
My name is Emily, and I swore to my best friend Shona that I wouldn't get caught up in an adventure or put us in danger for a month. Well, that didn't work out. How was I to know I'd find people living on a forgotten island that had only been discovered one year before? Or that the people had been trapped on it for hundreds of years and a prophecy foretold my arrival? They are convinced a devastating earthquake has been gaining strength and will soon obliterate the island. The tsunami caused by the disaster will then surge across the ocean and destroy other islands full of unaware humans. The leader's necklace shows a picture of a mermaid who will lead the island people to safety. I am the mermaid in the picture, and a drawing of my boyfriend is shown in another drawing. I barely survived the journey into the island, and no one else knows I'm here. The islanders believe it's impossible to leave the island, so I guess it's my job to do the impossible or thousands of people will die.
This book is actually the seventh one in a series, but I didn't read any of the others first. I was still able to enjoy, although I was curious about Emily’s past adventures. She had a history with the god Neptune, but I didn’t know if she had any powers (like Percy Jackson) other than being a mermaid. It was strange to read about a setting where mermaids lived alongside humans; the vacation resort had rooms for both groups. Emily was a semi-mer and could walk around on dry land, while her father and Shona needed to remain in the water at all times. This created some seemingly minor problems. The big conflict in the plot was complicated by Emily's spats with her boyfriend Aaron and Shona; apparently they'd gotten tired of her thinking about herself and getting everyone involved in dangerous situations. However, the prophecies indicated Aaron would end up helping Emily, while her relationship with Shona took more work. Emily’s thinking toward Shona was hard to understand, although it all worked out in the end. I recommend you read the previous books first, but this one was still very entertaining on its own.
This book is actually the seventh one in a series, but I didn't read any of the others first. I was still able to enjoy, although I was curious about Emily’s past adventures. She had a history with the god Neptune, but I didn’t know if she had any powers (like Percy Jackson) other than being a mermaid. It was strange to read about a setting where mermaids lived alongside humans; the vacation resort had rooms for both groups. Emily was a semi-mer and could walk around on dry land, while her father and Shona needed to remain in the water at all times. This created some seemingly minor problems. The big conflict in the plot was complicated by Emily's spats with her boyfriend Aaron and Shona; apparently they'd gotten tired of her thinking about herself and getting everyone involved in dangerous situations. However, the prophecies indicated Aaron would end up helping Emily, while her relationship with Shona took more work. Emily’s thinking toward Shona was hard to understand, although it all worked out in the end. I recommend you read the previous books first, but this one was still very entertaining on its own.
November 16, 2023
After the slightly better writing from book 6 I was hoping for more, but shouldn't have held my breath. Book 7 is a return to the same formula that Kessler seems to love: Emily, who is old enough for a boyfriend but not a survival instinct, dives headfirst into another adventure! Sorry Emily, but recklessness is not cute, especially when it endangers your friends. And even more problematic: the author should not make said friends look like the bad guys when they don't approve of risking their lives every time they hang out!
Unfortunately, because of the first-person POV, the audience only hears Emily's side of the story and is therefore pressured to be against Shona simply because she's sick of Emily's BS. Girl, I was too! Even if Emily discovered an entire group of people in need of saving (a poor segue into a plotline, I might add), it doesn't change the fact that she's got some serious personality issues that make her a terrible friend. Friends are supposed to watch out for each other and not almost get each other killed, right? Or is the definition of friendship different in Windsnap-verse? I wonder if I'd have gotten the wrong message from this rather manipulative storyline if I had read this book as a kid.
Finally, the cheapest ending of all - Shona did a 180 and passionately apologized for not accepting Emily for who she was. (But did anyone emphasize the reverse?) So I guess common sense was the real enemy here and was roundly defeated by Emily's "bravery." PSA: Saving the world isn't for everyone and that should be okay - if everyone's running off on dangerous missions who's left to ensure life hasn't fallen apart by the time they come back? Shona has every right to be the voice of reason, and every right not to be dragged into danger if she doesn't want it. But I guess, in Kessler's fictional world, everyone has to bow down to the spoiled, stupid MC or else.
Unfortunately, because of the first-person POV, the audience only hears Emily's side of the story and is therefore pressured to be against Shona simply because she's sick of Emily's BS. Girl, I was too! Even if Emily discovered an entire group of people in need of saving (a poor segue into a plotline, I might add), it doesn't change the fact that she's got some serious personality issues that make her a terrible friend. Friends are supposed to watch out for each other and not almost get each other killed, right? Or is the definition of friendship different in Windsnap-verse? I wonder if I'd have gotten the wrong message from this rather manipulative storyline if I had read this book as a kid.
Finally, the cheapest ending of all - Shona did a 180 and passionately apologized for not accepting Emily for who she was. (But did anyone emphasize the reverse?) So I guess common sense was the real enemy here and was roundly defeated by Emily's "bravery." PSA: Saving the world isn't for everyone and that should be okay - if everyone's running off on dangerous missions who's left to ensure life hasn't fallen apart by the time they come back? Shona has every right to be the voice of reason, and every right not to be dragged into danger if she doesn't want it. But I guess, in Kessler's fictional world, everyone has to bow down to the spoiled, stupid MC or else.
May 9, 2018
Emily, her family, and her friends are off on a relaxing vacation. Emily promises her friend Shona and her boyfriend Aaron that it will be a trip without any danger, for once. The only problem is that adventure seems to follow Emily wherever she goes.
When she goes on a trip to view the Falls of the Forgotten Island, Emily swears she sees a face in the falls. For that reason, she feels the need to investigate it in a way only a half-mermaid can-through the falls themselves. Emily can't believe what she finds, but Shona doesn't want to hear anything about it and Aaron feels like he's being pushed away. How can Emily avoid adventure when lives are on the line and she needs her friends' help to save them?
I have to admit that this is the first book I've read in the series, and I didn't feel that I needed to read the others in order to enjoy this one. Instead, this story holds its own adventure. I really liked the friendship and fantasy elements and how it teaches not to underestimate the importance of the support of your friends.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of mermaids, fantasy, adventure, and friendship.
When she goes on a trip to view the Falls of the Forgotten Island, Emily swears she sees a face in the falls. For that reason, she feels the need to investigate it in a way only a half-mermaid can-through the falls themselves. Emily can't believe what she finds, but Shona doesn't want to hear anything about it and Aaron feels like he's being pushed away. How can Emily avoid adventure when lives are on the line and she needs her friends' help to save them?
I have to admit that this is the first book I've read in the series, and I didn't feel that I needed to read the others in order to enjoy this one. Instead, this story holds its own adventure. I really liked the friendship and fantasy elements and how it teaches not to underestimate the importance of the support of your friends.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of mermaids, fantasy, adventure, and friendship.
March 27, 2024
Due to the timing of when books became available for me, I'm having to read the later half of the Emily Windsnap series out of order; while normally I would have been annoyed by the quick summary of previous books' events (almost like singing Twelve Days of Christmas), I was thankful for it in this case. This was a nice chill story of Emily and her friends attempting to have a relaxing vacation but adventure still finds it's way into their lives. The scenery was described quite nicely, especially the experiences around the falls. Perhaps the only aspect I was disappointed in was the Forgotten Island's people coming off as so normal and modern rather than being otherworldly (i.e. the boy being named Joel rather than some unique name); not to mention, we didn't really get a description of how they looked besides their eye and hair colors, so they were just blank placeholders in my head during the story. Overall, it was a nice story of the characters trying to stay out of trouble and having their friendships grow as things don't go according to plan, but definitely more chill than previous books; I did like the tie-in to a previous book's plot.
June 24, 2025
this book series being for kids is not an excuse to introduce characters, then conveniently discard them. Emily is the only developed character. all the others are so two dimensional. shona and Aaron are 2 of the most prominent side characters and they have no personality aside from being Emily's best friend and boyfriend. and relocating Aaron AGAIN for convenience's sake of being unable to juggle Emily having a best friend and a boyfriend is such a lame idea. same thing with seth existing solely so shona isnt constantly third wheeling.
aaron and shona have so much potential, but it's never truly discovered. and when we come close, like aaron in this book, suddenly he's being moved back to the isolated island he wanted to get away from in book 3.
also, it's okay to have a little romance in middle grade books!! giving emily a boyfriend then not having him act like one was so pointless. might as well have kept them friends who have crushes on each other forever.
yes, I understand that this series is aimed at a late elementary school, early middle school audience, but that's no excuse for the lack of character depth and relationship.
aaron and shona have so much potential, but it's never truly discovered. and when we come close, like aaron in this book, suddenly he's being moved back to the isolated island he wanted to get away from in book 3.
also, it's okay to have a little romance in middle grade books!! giving emily a boyfriend then not having him act like one was so pointless. might as well have kept them friends who have crushes on each other forever.
yes, I understand that this series is aimed at a late elementary school, early middle school audience, but that's no excuse for the lack of character depth and relationship.
February 25, 2018
I received this as a free ebook from Netgalley. This does not affect my review.
This is a nice addition to the Emily Windsnap series, focussing on that age-old third wheel problem - what happens when you get a boyfriend and have a best friend at the same time? Plus you're an insatiable adventurer and your sidekick just wants a week off. The Falls of Forgotten Island are almost incidental to this triangle; they give structure and allow the characters to make mistakes then redeem themselves, but it's how the friends deal with these tensions that is the heart of the story. Mermaid or mongoose, it's about communication, and I think Emily and friends pull this off quite well. I would almost certain add this to our library shelves as the ones we have are very popular, and there isn't much aimed at middle grade children to allow them to start thinking about relationships in a safe space before they hit the drama of YA. Y4-Y5 should particularly appreciate it.
This is a nice addition to the Emily Windsnap series, focussing on that age-old third wheel problem - what happens when you get a boyfriend and have a best friend at the same time? Plus you're an insatiable adventurer and your sidekick just wants a week off. The Falls of Forgotten Island are almost incidental to this triangle; they give structure and allow the characters to make mistakes then redeem themselves, but it's how the friends deal with these tensions that is the heart of the story. Mermaid or mongoose, it's about communication, and I think Emily and friends pull this off quite well. I would almost certain add this to our library shelves as the ones we have are very popular, and there isn't much aimed at middle grade children to allow them to start thinking about relationships in a safe space before they hit the drama of YA. Y4-Y5 should particularly appreciate it.
July 1, 2018
@kidlitexchange #partner
Confession: I have not read the other Emily Windsnap books and this may impact my review. With that said, I’ve ordered several from the series for my nieces after reading this one. Perfect for middle grade readers with an interest in fantasy and a whimsical spin, The Falls of Forgotten Island is rife with the kind of drama one would expect enjoyable to read and somewhat relatable for the 8-12 crowd.
I think there is something inherently thrilling for the intended audience about a seemingly average kid who can live a very special and adventurous life – even if there is a little ‘romance’ thrown in. This book isn’t for everyone, but it isn’t written for everyone. If you enjoy ‘tweeny’ whimsy, mermaids, and fairy tales, this one is for you!
Thank you for the @kidlitexchange network for providing a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own. #kidlitexchange
Confession: I have not read the other Emily Windsnap books and this may impact my review. With that said, I’ve ordered several from the series for my nieces after reading this one. Perfect for middle grade readers with an interest in fantasy and a whimsical spin, The Falls of Forgotten Island is rife with the kind of drama one would expect enjoyable to read and somewhat relatable for the 8-12 crowd.
I think there is something inherently thrilling for the intended audience about a seemingly average kid who can live a very special and adventurous life – even if there is a little ‘romance’ thrown in. This book isn’t for everyone, but it isn’t written for everyone. If you enjoy ‘tweeny’ whimsy, mermaids, and fairy tales, this one is for you!
Thank you for the @kidlitexchange network for providing a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own. #kidlitexchange
October 9, 2018
This book wasn't as good as the first one, But definitely very detailed and was a great read.
I love this series, although I have only read two... I really hope everyone who wants to read this book does because they wont regret it!
Emily Windsnap is a normal girl on land, and a magical MERMAID when she comes in contact with water.
When on holiday, Emily finds herself lost at a Magical, forgotten Island.
Gripped by the strong tornado like waters, she wonders if she will ever get out alive; many humans have tried to make it to the Island, but all Died trying.. Can a little Mermaid save herself, and get to shore? or will she be drawn back under.
Even if she does survive the dangerous seas, she still has dreadful nightmares coming for her, when she finds herself saving an old tribe of people living off the island!
with a coming Earthquake, will she get the village of the Island before the Earthquake??
or will they all come tumbling down?
I love this series, although I have only read two... I really hope everyone who wants to read this book does because they wont regret it!
Emily Windsnap is a normal girl on land, and a magical MERMAID when she comes in contact with water.
When on holiday, Emily finds herself lost at a Magical, forgotten Island.
Gripped by the strong tornado like waters, she wonders if she will ever get out alive; many humans have tried to make it to the Island, but all Died trying.. Can a little Mermaid save herself, and get to shore? or will she be drawn back under.
Even if she does survive the dangerous seas, she still has dreadful nightmares coming for her, when she finds herself saving an old tribe of people living off the island!
with a coming Earthquake, will she get the village of the Island before the Earthquake??
or will they all come tumbling down?
March 15, 2021
Ok listen. I read the first 6 books about three times, the most recent being less than a year ago. So when I heard there were three more books I was thrilled. After finishing this one I’m not sure what to think. The first books had such diverse and different plots but book #7 felt very predictable. Like Emily finds some forgotten place while on vacation, similar to books 2,5, and 6. Somehow Neptune gets brought into it. She fights with Shona or Aaron but they always make up. It’s all very cliche. I kinda wish Liz would have stopped at 6 books because I felt it was the perfect ending. I still have to read 8 and 9 so hopefully those are better because I was very exited and very let down by this book. It’s like everything is all resolved and everyone’s perfectly happy at the ending. Maybe I’m just to old for these books but I would love a bigger cliffhanger at the end of one (yes there’s Aaron at the end of this one but still)
January 16, 2023
The following may spoil a bit.
Liz Kessler definitely wrote a good, interesting book this time. I loved the story and all of the drama. (As you can see I finished this in one day) I also love how she included friendship problems- and how to overcome them-with Jeras. Immortality and mystery from someone almost 200 years old definitely made this book a big hit- showing Sci-Fi. Although, at the end of the book it was so sad. Jeras died which I guess he deserved- however when Aaron started crying, I felt like I was about to cry. Emily joined him and Aaron confessed that he must stay in the island. I thought to myself, “why did the author have to write that?” Why couldn’t Aaron just stay with his mother? And in the 8th book it’s worse. It’s very interesting, however whenever I think about it, it feels so sad. Why did Emily and Aaron have to split up? It just doesn’t make sense. They were perfect for each other.
Liz Kessler definitely wrote a good, interesting book this time. I loved the story and all of the drama. (As you can see I finished this in one day) I also love how she included friendship problems- and how to overcome them-with Jeras. Immortality and mystery from someone almost 200 years old definitely made this book a big hit- showing Sci-Fi. Although, at the end of the book it was so sad. Jeras died which I guess he deserved- however when Aaron started crying, I felt like I was about to cry. Emily joined him and Aaron confessed that he must stay in the island. I thought to myself, “why did the author have to write that?” Why couldn’t Aaron just stay with his mother? And in the 8th book it’s worse. It’s very interesting, however whenever I think about it, it feels so sad. Why did Emily and Aaron have to split up? It just doesn’t make sense. They were perfect for each other.
May 9, 2018
Thank you to @kidlitexchange for a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
So this is the 7th installment in the series about Emily Windsnap. In the first book she discovers she is part mermaid. In this book is is joined by her friend Shonna (mermaid) and her boyfriend (merman).
After a series of adventures (in the previous books) they are tired and in need of a relaxing vacation. They join Emily’s family on a trip to an exotic island. However once she is on the island adventure still manages to find her.
My second grade daughter enjoyed this book but didn’t find it as intriguing as the first book in the series. The book is longer than most books she reads but she was able to comprehend the story well. Girls this age seem to love mermaids and it would be well suited for a third grader.
So this is the 7th installment in the series about Emily Windsnap. In the first book she discovers she is part mermaid. In this book is is joined by her friend Shonna (mermaid) and her boyfriend (merman).
After a series of adventures (in the previous books) they are tired and in need of a relaxing vacation. They join Emily’s family on a trip to an exotic island. However once she is on the island adventure still manages to find her.
My second grade daughter enjoyed this book but didn’t find it as intriguing as the first book in the series. The book is longer than most books she reads but she was able to comprehend the story well. Girls this age seem to love mermaids and it would be well suited for a third grader.
March 23, 2018
*****Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review*****
So, I read a lot of middle grade, so I thought I'd try this. But as it turns out, this is not my sort of Middle Grade, and in jumping in 7 books in to the series I had missed a lot of world building and set up that wasn't really filled in over the course of the book. I didn't like the main character - she's a bit too spoilt and self-centred for my liking, and the plot was a bit confusing without any of the background to the series. Still, I can see that this would make a good read for the younger end of the middle grade spectrum, if they like mermaids and fairy tales and have read the rest of the series. It just wasn't really for me. Never mind.
So, I read a lot of middle grade, so I thought I'd try this. But as it turns out, this is not my sort of Middle Grade, and in jumping in 7 books in to the series I had missed a lot of world building and set up that wasn't really filled in over the course of the book. I didn't like the main character - she's a bit too spoilt and self-centred for my liking, and the plot was a bit confusing without any of the background to the series. Still, I can see that this would make a good read for the younger end of the middle grade spectrum, if they like mermaids and fairy tales and have read the rest of the series. It just wasn't really for me. Never mind.
March 25, 2018
Thanks to Candlewick Press for this Advanced Copy of Emily Windsnap's latest adventure. It came out on the first day of spring! I have to admit I've never read one of these stories by Liz Kessler, so was surprised quite a lot, did not know that Emily was a "half-mer" like her boyfriend, Aaron, and her best friend was a mermaid. This was another adventure, this time managing to mess up the family's vacation plans to do nothing but have fun and relax in a resort by the sea. Yet in the midst of calamities, there are challenges in relationships, too, and words of advice in handling conflicts. The story holds tense, loving and surprising moments, and I enjoyed it, imagine Emily's fans will love her newest challenge.
June 20, 2019
Nearing the end of the series now this novel wrapped up in an unexpected way. Emily, Shona, Aaron, Emily's parents and Millie all go on a holiday to relax and get away from all the excitement and adventure in their lives. However, Emily being Emily is found yet and again getting caught up in saving a whole island and many others surrounding it.
Friendships fall out, relationships fall out, long lost relatives reunite. Mending friendships and relationships and saying goodbye to the ones you love.
This adventure is so action filled you won't want to put it down. Join Emily on another one of her crazy, wacky adventures
Friendships fall out, relationships fall out, long lost relatives reunite. Mending friendships and relationships and saying goodbye to the ones you love.
This adventure is so action filled you won't want to put it down. Join Emily on another one of her crazy, wacky adventures
August 23, 2025
It was genuinely so good.To be understood completely i think it should better be read by a young teenager but of course, younger kids can read it joyfully too.The plot twists where so good,I guessed some of them and that's such a good feeling. Sona used to be my fav,and she annoyed me a bit but in general I really love their friendship,and the trio. So yeah, I am really gonna miss this series when it's done and the vibe.Plus, remember what I am saying,in my opinion,both sona and em love adventures,even if em loves them a bit more,I don't like people saying that Sona is not adventurous,she definitely is.
December 21, 2017
Emily is headed to a tropical island for a relaxing vacation with friends and family. And this time, Emily promises her best friend, Shona, there will be absolutely no adventure, just plenty of fun. But adventure always seems to find Emily, and before she knows it, she ends up on the other side of a powerful waterfall on a forgotten island no one else can get to. This book has it all: tested friendships, danger, young love, fantasy, adventure, and mystery and all of this is wrapped up in secrets that are strategically revealed. Young readers won’t be able to put this one down.
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