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Wavecrossed
~Young-adult paranormal novel about selkies, secrets, Tasers and kissing.~ To Cassandra Kelleher, trust is a dirty word. A teenage selkie who grew up on land, all she wants is to free her family from the man who stole their sealskins long ago. With her twin brother Brennan losing hope and her window of opportunity disappearing like the beach at high tide, she’ll try anything. Before long, however, Cassandra can’t tell whether her biggest threat is the man holding her family captive, a classmate who’s discovered her secret, or her own paranoia. Battling broken friendships and alarming romantic entanglements, Cassandra finds that trust could be the key to winning her family’s freedom … or losing her own. Excerpts and more at www.andreacolt.com
388 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2013
1 person is currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Colt
2 books155 followersAndrea Colt grew up in Maryland, where she loved to read, ride horses, play soccer and squabble with her identical twin. She started writing novels as an extra-curricular passion in college, and after graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland at College Park (go Terps!), she moved to Alexandria, Virginia. A few years later, she published Torched, and has several more books on the way. She loves wandering around the National Zoo, scarfing cheddar cheese, and hearing from fans.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 10, 2013
I received a copy of Wavecrossed from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was very excited about this book because Torched was one of my favorite indie reads of the past year. I award this book 3.5 stars.
Wavecrossed is a very different novel than Torched, which was a YA contemporary. I want to mention that I love that these books are totally different, because Colt takes a risk, and this is highly important for writers to be brave enough to do. This book stars Cassandra, a selkie, and her twin brother, Brennan two teenagers who are the only ones in their family who have their sealskins. Their parents and older brother Declan are still enslaved. To what lengths will each of them go to rescue them?
There is no doubt in my mind that Andrea Colt can write. Although I had some issues with how the story unfolds, I still got through the entire book in a few hours. The supporting cast is wonderful-- I loved Leisel and especially Ashlyn, the hated ex-best friend/girlfriend and queen bee of the school. I could imagine all of the scenes really well, and Brennan gives a nice balance to Cassandra, who is often hard to take. I loved the turn that everything takes in the end of the story, which I won't talk about, but you'll have to read it to find out!
As for my issues. I'm not sure that I agree with how the book starts. I dislike prologues as a general rule, but it might have been used effectively here. Instead of opening the story with the two of them swimming around, I think it would have been nice to see a scene of them trying and failing to save their parents. We are told most of this backstory through Cassandra's thoughts and dialogue between characters. Second, Cassandra is a very difficult character to like. I understand why she has to be that way, but often, I (and the characters as well) were begging to take a break from her continually negative and paranoid mind. Finally, as more of a personal preference than anything else, I think I've realized I'm not really into selkie stories. However, I did like how Colt makes the twins a bit different than "other" selkies.
Overall, a richly described novel that is fast paced with a terrific supporting cast. The way the plot unfolded and the main character weren't always my cup of tea, but no one can deny that Colt is a talented writer. I'll continue to pick up every book she writes.
Wavecrossed is a very different novel than Torched, which was a YA contemporary. I want to mention that I love that these books are totally different, because Colt takes a risk, and this is highly important for writers to be brave enough to do. This book stars Cassandra, a selkie, and her twin brother, Brennan two teenagers who are the only ones in their family who have their sealskins. Their parents and older brother Declan are still enslaved. To what lengths will each of them go to rescue them?
There is no doubt in my mind that Andrea Colt can write. Although I had some issues with how the story unfolds, I still got through the entire book in a few hours. The supporting cast is wonderful-- I loved Leisel and especially Ashlyn, the hated ex-best friend/girlfriend and queen bee of the school. I could imagine all of the scenes really well, and Brennan gives a nice balance to Cassandra, who is often hard to take. I loved the turn that everything takes in the end of the story, which I won't talk about, but you'll have to read it to find out!
As for my issues. I'm not sure that I agree with how the book starts. I dislike prologues as a general rule, but it might have been used effectively here. Instead of opening the story with the two of them swimming around, I think it would have been nice to see a scene of them trying and failing to save their parents. We are told most of this backstory through Cassandra's thoughts and dialogue between characters. Second, Cassandra is a very difficult character to like. I understand why she has to be that way, but often, I (and the characters as well) were begging to take a break from her continually negative and paranoid mind. Finally, as more of a personal preference than anything else, I think I've realized I'm not really into selkie stories. However, I did like how Colt makes the twins a bit different than "other" selkies.
Overall, a richly described novel that is fast paced with a terrific supporting cast. The way the plot unfolded and the main character weren't always my cup of tea, but no one can deny that Colt is a talented writer. I'll continue to pick up every book she writes.
September 10, 2013
Cassandra and her twin brother Brennan just recently got their sealskins back due to a deal their older brother Declan and their parents made with the mayor who stole them. Their brother and parents want them out at sea living their life but they will not give up on getting their families sealskins back. When a girl at school, Leisel, catches them slipping out of their sealskins on camera, they decide to trust her and put into place one last plan to finally get the sealskins back. Because come graduation they promised to be gone with or without their family alongside them.
I realized once I started reading this that I don't think I have read anything else with selkies. When they kept talking about the sealskins I just kept picturing like a mink coat that they somehow slipped into and became a seal. LOL When a human steals a selkies sealskin then they have control over them. The selkie becomes a slave. The mayor comes from a family line of sealskin thief's. I did wish there was a little more background on how he first got a hold of the families sealskins and whose he stole first. I know he took Cassandra & Brennan's at birth and they didn't know what they were for a very long time. But I kept wondering if he just demanded the parents hand it over or what.
When the sealskin is taken they have to do everything the thief wants. The mayor's daughter, Ashlyn, was their best friend until they got their skin and freedom. Then they realized they were doing things for her because they had to , not because they wanted to. They are so scared to lose their skins but I commended them for how they risked it to save their parents and brothers sealskins. They recruit Leisel to befriend Ashlyn and try to search for the sealskins in the mayors house. They also discover a website in which they think is an undercover selkie rescue team. Cassandra investigates the website and meets Paul.
Selkies are very fearful of being discovered or having their sealskin stolen so Cassandra meets Paul in a very humorous way. Handcuffs him to question him. LOL There is instant attraction but Cassandra lacks a lot of trust which is kind of understandable with her upbringing. It did get a little annoying the way Cassandra would go back and forth on who to trust but I could understand her reluctance to trust anyone. This is one of those books where you know a bittersweet ending is coming. Either they get their skins back and head to sea, leaving behind Leisel and Paul, or they don't get them back and are stuck on land but don't have to leave Leisel and Paul. A difficult situation but I thought the ending was great and I am really curious where the story will go next.
---
"And here I thought you were crushing on my brother," I joked. Still, the compliment made me feel better after Ashlyn's sneering. Then I realized Leisel looked striken.
"What?"
"Why would you say that?"
I raised a brow.
"You told him he could keep your hippo."
She winced. "God, I'm such a dork."
"Knock what off?"
Paul's gaze swept across the deck to lock with mine.
"Making me want to kiss you."
Confusion dissolved into heat; my heart beat out an increasing tempo.
"You want to kiss me?"
"You know I do."
"You didn't tell me his nickname was Handcuff Guy."
Everyone looked at Paul, who held up his hands. "At least I'm not Taser Girl."
All eyes turned to me.
"You guys must have some wild times," Ashlyn drawled.
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review*
I realized once I started reading this that I don't think I have read anything else with selkies. When they kept talking about the sealskins I just kept picturing like a mink coat that they somehow slipped into and became a seal. LOL When a human steals a selkies sealskin then they have control over them. The selkie becomes a slave. The mayor comes from a family line of sealskin thief's. I did wish there was a little more background on how he first got a hold of the families sealskins and whose he stole first. I know he took Cassandra & Brennan's at birth and they didn't know what they were for a very long time. But I kept wondering if he just demanded the parents hand it over or what.
When the sealskin is taken they have to do everything the thief wants. The mayor's daughter, Ashlyn, was their best friend until they got their skin and freedom. Then they realized they were doing things for her because they had to , not because they wanted to. They are so scared to lose their skins but I commended them for how they risked it to save their parents and brothers sealskins. They recruit Leisel to befriend Ashlyn and try to search for the sealskins in the mayors house. They also discover a website in which they think is an undercover selkie rescue team. Cassandra investigates the website and meets Paul.
Selkies are very fearful of being discovered or having their sealskin stolen so Cassandra meets Paul in a very humorous way. Handcuffs him to question him. LOL There is instant attraction but Cassandra lacks a lot of trust which is kind of understandable with her upbringing. It did get a little annoying the way Cassandra would go back and forth on who to trust but I could understand her reluctance to trust anyone. This is one of those books where you know a bittersweet ending is coming. Either they get their skins back and head to sea, leaving behind Leisel and Paul, or they don't get them back and are stuck on land but don't have to leave Leisel and Paul. A difficult situation but I thought the ending was great and I am really curious where the story will go next.
---
"And here I thought you were crushing on my brother," I joked. Still, the compliment made me feel better after Ashlyn's sneering. Then I realized Leisel looked striken.
"What?"
"Why would you say that?"
I raised a brow.
"You told him he could keep your hippo."
She winced. "God, I'm such a dork."
"Knock what off?"
Paul's gaze swept across the deck to lock with mine.
"Making me want to kiss you."
Confusion dissolved into heat; my heart beat out an increasing tempo.
"You want to kiss me?"
"You know I do."
"You didn't tell me his nickname was Handcuff Guy."
Everyone looked at Paul, who held up his hands. "At least I'm not Taser Girl."
All eyes turned to me.
"You guys must have some wild times," Ashlyn drawled.
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review*
August 30, 2013
Three and a half stars, rounded up.
Overall, this is a pretty solid young adult fantasy read. I read Andrea Colt's first book, a contemporary whodunnit entitled Torched, and absolutely loved it. Wavecrossed is a completely different kind of story, and I have to applaud Colt for making such a drastic changed. I would have never thought that these books were by the same author, going on blurb alone.
The paranormal/fantastical creature that stars in this book is the selkie, which is a being from Scottish mythology that (oversimplified) is a human on land and a seal in the water. I've heard the myth and was familiar with the being, but this is my first time reading a novel with selkies as protagonists. I love werewolves and vampires as much as the next girl, but this was a very refreshing change from the paranormal trends seen lately, in my opinion.
Colt does a great job not only describing what selkies are and how they shift, but the underwater settings and the characters as a whole. It wasn't hard to dive into (no pun intended) Brennan and Cassandra's world. Speaking of which, I really liked the twin dynamic of this. Despite their mythological nature, they seemed very human and believable. They weren't creepily best friends or forever sworn enemies (which I see a lot), but a realistic combination of loving family and bickering annoyance.
I wasn't a huge fan of Cassandra by herself though. I never really connected to her, because she often came off as aggressive and controlling. I understand that her life, and her family's, are on the line, but I wouldn't have wanted to help her, that's for sure. I much preferred Brennan, who seemed less irritating as a whole.
I also found the start of the story to be a bit confusing. I'm not sure what would fix it, maybe a prologue or a back story or something. For the first few chapters I felt like I was reading the start of a sequel, like I was supposed to have already had some concept of the twins' situation and the drama that went along with it. It got better with time, but it made it a bit slow to start for me.
Despite the issues that I had with this book, it is a solid fantasy read from an author that I continue to love. I recommend it to young adult readers with any of the following- an interest in mythology, shifters, or underwater fantasy such as mermaids. If you're not a fan of those, or high school drama, then this may not be for you.
Thank you to Oops I Read A Book Again Blog Tours for my copy in exchange for an honest review. My stop on this blog tour will be up on my blog Bitches n Prose later today.
Overall, this is a pretty solid young adult fantasy read. I read Andrea Colt's first book, a contemporary whodunnit entitled Torched, and absolutely loved it. Wavecrossed is a completely different kind of story, and I have to applaud Colt for making such a drastic changed. I would have never thought that these books were by the same author, going on blurb alone.
The paranormal/fantastical creature that stars in this book is the selkie, which is a being from Scottish mythology that (oversimplified) is a human on land and a seal in the water. I've heard the myth and was familiar with the being, but this is my first time reading a novel with selkies as protagonists. I love werewolves and vampires as much as the next girl, but this was a very refreshing change from the paranormal trends seen lately, in my opinion.
Colt does a great job not only describing what selkies are and how they shift, but the underwater settings and the characters as a whole. It wasn't hard to dive into (no pun intended) Brennan and Cassandra's world. Speaking of which, I really liked the twin dynamic of this. Despite their mythological nature, they seemed very human and believable. They weren't creepily best friends or forever sworn enemies (which I see a lot), but a realistic combination of loving family and bickering annoyance.
I wasn't a huge fan of Cassandra by herself though. I never really connected to her, because she often came off as aggressive and controlling. I understand that her life, and her family's, are on the line, but I wouldn't have wanted to help her, that's for sure. I much preferred Brennan, who seemed less irritating as a whole.
I also found the start of the story to be a bit confusing. I'm not sure what would fix it, maybe a prologue or a back story or something. For the first few chapters I felt like I was reading the start of a sequel, like I was supposed to have already had some concept of the twins' situation and the drama that went along with it. It got better with time, but it made it a bit slow to start for me.
Despite the issues that I had with this book, it is a solid fantasy read from an author that I continue to love. I recommend it to young adult readers with any of the following- an interest in mythology, shifters, or underwater fantasy such as mermaids. If you're not a fan of those, or high school drama, then this may not be for you.
Thank you to Oops I Read A Book Again Blog Tours for my copy in exchange for an honest review. My stop on this blog tour will be up on my blog Bitches n Prose later today.
October 24, 2013
Three and a half stars: An entertaining and exciting selkie adventure.
Cassie pokes her nose cautiously out of the water. To an onlooker, she would appear to be a seal, but in reality she is a selkie. The coast appears to be clear, so she hurries into the shallow water where she quickly transforms back to her human self. Cassie knocks two pebbles against a boulder signaling to her twin that it is safe to come of the water. Cassie and Brennan only discovered that they were selkies two years ago when their older brother freed them by returning their stolen skins. Declan paid a steep price for their freedom, and he wants nothing more than to see them swim out to sea and not look back. Cassie and Brennan did that for a short time, but they could not in good conscience leave behind Declan and their parents, who are trapped on land because someone has stolen their seal skins and is holding them hostage. Can Cassie and Brennan retrieve the stolen skins?
What I Liked:
*Ms. Colt proved to me with her other novel Torched that she can write a suspenseful story driven by great characters. Once again, she provides a tale with plenty of suspense and exciting characters. It isn't often you run across a book featuring selkies, and in fact, I have only read two other books with selkies. In the paranormal genre, I think most of us crave something different and selkies certainly are that. I enjoyed learning more about this elusive creatures which are humans that can transform into a seal. If you are on the hunt for a unique paranormal read grab this one.
*I loved that the story had plenty of suspense that kept me reading. Cassie and Brennan's family are being held hostage by an odious man who stole their seal skins. It is up to Cassie and Brennan to uncover where the skins are being kept. But there is so much more to the story than that. I liked the excitement and mystery that were woven into the story. I eagerly turned the pages wanting to more about selkies and how Cassie and Brennan would save their family.
*I liked that this book featured two twins as the main characters. Cassie is uptight, suspicious and unable to trust anyone. She is brazen in her actions and moves quickly without thinking. Her reckless behavior often lands in her into lots of hot water. I had a hard time liking her at first because I thought she was a bit nasty. However, this book is about self discovery and it shows the slow and arduous journey that Cassie goes through before she learns to open herself to the possibility of having friends again. Hesitantly, she accepts help from three people and slowly learns to trust. You have to be patient with her as often she is not the most likable character. By the end, she makes a nice transformation. Brennan, on the other hand, is more easy going and likable. He doesn't have the serious trust issues that hinder his twin sister. He is more gregarious and outgoing, and he is quick to admit that they need help. I was drawn to Brennan, and at times, I wished that the story incorporated his view point as well as Cassie's. I think it would have been a nice balance.
*Andrea Colt is another indie author who has won me over. Her books are not only entertaining but they are perfectly polished and clean. Pick this up with confidence knowing you are getting a solid read without editing errors. I always appreciate when an author puts the best possible book out there on their own.
And The Not So Much:
*I was so excited to read a book about selkies, but I found at the end, I longed to know more. I did like that a lot of the details about the selkies was unknown because the twins themselves didn't know much about their heritage. I was patient while reading, hoping that by the end I would uncover all the answers, but I was left with many lingering questions. I wanted to know more about the selkies and their life at sea. How did they live in their tribes? Did they spend the majority of their time as seals? Hopefully, there will be another book so I can learn more.
*I was a bit confused over the whole hostage thing. There was not a thorough explanation on how their parents were initially trapped, it just mentions that their skins were stolen while they were swimming. Furthermore, I didn't have a firm understanding as to why someone would steal the skins and keep the selkies from the sea. What did the captor do to the parents? Did he do it just because he could or did he get monetary compensation from the parents? I have liked a bit more explanation on this part of the story.
*I had questions regarding the older brother Declan. It is revealed that he takes great risks to acquire the seal skins of his two siblings. It is even brought up in the book when the twins' friend, Liesel, questions how Declan knew he was a selkie to begin with if the parents were forbidden to tell him? Why did he go through the lengths he did to free the twins and not himself? Did he really love his wife or was it just a ruse to get the seal skins? I would love to know more about his part of the story.
*There are two romances in the story, one involving each twin. I enjoyed the Brennan's romance because I thought it was genuine and that it moved at the proper pace. Cassie's romance, though, didn't work for me. I hated the way she treated the boy at their first encounter. Her behavior was ridiculous, and I had a hard time accepting that the boy would be attracted to her after her horrible behavior at their first meeting. Since she has severe trust issues, Cassie treats him badly, then all of a sudden their is an about face and she is kissing him. I never felt the magic of this romance and it just didn't feel realistic.
*Finally, the ending felt a bit open. It wasn't a cliffhanger per say, and it ends on a high note, but I just felt like there should have been more. Too many things were left hanging, and I feel like the story needed to go on. I don't know if there is a sequel in the works, but I sure hope so because the story feels unfinished at this point.
Wavecrossed is an exciting, fast paced adventure that will pull you in and keep you captive until you reach the end. I love the way that Ms. Colt can grab you and drag you into her stories. There is always plenty of suspense and mystery along with great characters and romance. I am a fan of her work, and I will continue to read what she writes. Ms. Colt is another indie author to watch! I highly recommend you check out her other book, Torched, as well. It is a favorite of mine.
Favorite Quotations:
"If you were lost in the woods, would you ask a bear for directions?"
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@
Rainy Day Ramblings.
Cassie pokes her nose cautiously out of the water. To an onlooker, she would appear to be a seal, but in reality she is a selkie. The coast appears to be clear, so she hurries into the shallow water where she quickly transforms back to her human self. Cassie knocks two pebbles against a boulder signaling to her twin that it is safe to come of the water. Cassie and Brennan only discovered that they were selkies two years ago when their older brother freed them by returning their stolen skins. Declan paid a steep price for their freedom, and he wants nothing more than to see them swim out to sea and not look back. Cassie and Brennan did that for a short time, but they could not in good conscience leave behind Declan and their parents, who are trapped on land because someone has stolen their seal skins and is holding them hostage. Can Cassie and Brennan retrieve the stolen skins?
What I Liked:
*Ms. Colt proved to me with her other novel Torched that she can write a suspenseful story driven by great characters. Once again, she provides a tale with plenty of suspense and exciting characters. It isn't often you run across a book featuring selkies, and in fact, I have only read two other books with selkies. In the paranormal genre, I think most of us crave something different and selkies certainly are that. I enjoyed learning more about this elusive creatures which are humans that can transform into a seal. If you are on the hunt for a unique paranormal read grab this one.
*I loved that the story had plenty of suspense that kept me reading. Cassie and Brennan's family are being held hostage by an odious man who stole their seal skins. It is up to Cassie and Brennan to uncover where the skins are being kept. But there is so much more to the story than that. I liked the excitement and mystery that were woven into the story. I eagerly turned the pages wanting to more about selkies and how Cassie and Brennan would save their family.
*I liked that this book featured two twins as the main characters. Cassie is uptight, suspicious and unable to trust anyone. She is brazen in her actions and moves quickly without thinking. Her reckless behavior often lands in her into lots of hot water. I had a hard time liking her at first because I thought she was a bit nasty. However, this book is about self discovery and it shows the slow and arduous journey that Cassie goes through before she learns to open herself to the possibility of having friends again. Hesitantly, she accepts help from three people and slowly learns to trust. You have to be patient with her as often she is not the most likable character. By the end, she makes a nice transformation. Brennan, on the other hand, is more easy going and likable. He doesn't have the serious trust issues that hinder his twin sister. He is more gregarious and outgoing, and he is quick to admit that they need help. I was drawn to Brennan, and at times, I wished that the story incorporated his view point as well as Cassie's. I think it would have been a nice balance.
*Andrea Colt is another indie author who has won me over. Her books are not only entertaining but they are perfectly polished and clean. Pick this up with confidence knowing you are getting a solid read without editing errors. I always appreciate when an author puts the best possible book out there on their own.
And The Not So Much:
*I was so excited to read a book about selkies, but I found at the end, I longed to know more. I did like that a lot of the details about the selkies was unknown because the twins themselves didn't know much about their heritage. I was patient while reading, hoping that by the end I would uncover all the answers, but I was left with many lingering questions. I wanted to know more about the selkies and their life at sea. How did they live in their tribes? Did they spend the majority of their time as seals? Hopefully, there will be another book so I can learn more.
*I was a bit confused over the whole hostage thing. There was not a thorough explanation on how their parents were initially trapped, it just mentions that their skins were stolen while they were swimming. Furthermore, I didn't have a firm understanding as to why someone would steal the skins and keep the selkies from the sea. What did the captor do to the parents? Did he do it just because he could or did he get monetary compensation from the parents? I have liked a bit more explanation on this part of the story.
*I had questions regarding the older brother Declan. It is revealed that he takes great risks to acquire the seal skins of his two siblings. It is even brought up in the book when the twins' friend, Liesel, questions how Declan knew he was a selkie to begin with if the parents were forbidden to tell him? Why did he go through the lengths he did to free the twins and not himself? Did he really love his wife or was it just a ruse to get the seal skins? I would love to know more about his part of the story.
*There are two romances in the story, one involving each twin. I enjoyed the Brennan's romance because I thought it was genuine and that it moved at the proper pace. Cassie's romance, though, didn't work for me. I hated the way she treated the boy at their first encounter. Her behavior was ridiculous, and I had a hard time accepting that the boy would be attracted to her after her horrible behavior at their first meeting. Since she has severe trust issues, Cassie treats him badly, then all of a sudden their is an about face and she is kissing him. I never felt the magic of this romance and it just didn't feel realistic.
*Finally, the ending felt a bit open. It wasn't a cliffhanger per say, and it ends on a high note, but I just felt like there should have been more. Too many things were left hanging, and I feel like the story needed to go on. I don't know if there is a sequel in the works, but I sure hope so because the story feels unfinished at this point.
Wavecrossed is an exciting, fast paced adventure that will pull you in and keep you captive until you reach the end. I love the way that Ms. Colt can grab you and drag you into her stories. There is always plenty of suspense and mystery along with great characters and romance. I am a fan of her work, and I will continue to read what she writes. Ms. Colt is another indie author to watch! I highly recommend you check out her other book, Torched, as well. It is a favorite of mine.
Favorite Quotations:
"If you were lost in the woods, would you ask a bear for directions?"
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@
Rainy Day Ramblings.
October 1, 2013
There's just something about Andrea's writing - it's simply addictive. It's the kind that makes you stay on the exercise bike just a little longer or lose another hour of sleep just to get a few more pages in. Andrea paints the pictures of selkies barrel-rolling through the ocean and teenagers in a high school cafeteria with equal vibrancy - never once did I struggle to place myself in a scene - Andrea's writing did all the work and just tugged me through the story. Cass's voice was so clear, so sympathetic, from the very first page, that even when she was making decisions that made me want to scream at her, I wanted to hug her at the same time. Her relationship with her twin brother, Brennan, is precarious and deeply committed at the same time. Even the supporting characters in this story shine - Liesel, the geek-turned-popular girl who you're secretly rooting for; Ashlyn, the ex-best-friend who you know carries so much hurt beneath her hard exterior; and Paul, the smoldering hot college guy who, heartbreakingly, would have made a perfect boyfriend for a girl like Cass - if only she wasn't selkie.
And I guess that's what Andrea does the best - she balances the whole messy, precarious mix of human emotions so exquisitely and writes them in such a real voice that the story grabs hold of your heart.
Though Wavecrossed is an addictive, fast-paced, adrenaline-filled story of two teens' race to save their families, it manages to be introspective and heartwrenching, too. A selkie girl learning to trust in the kindness of strangers when all she's ever known was humans trying to hurt and enslave her and everyone she loves makes a powerful backdrop, but at its heart, Wavecrossed is something different. It's a story of learning to let go of control even at the scariest moments of life, accepting that even the worst people can change their ways, and letting yourself believe in the goodness of others, even when you've been burned over and over again.
Wavecrossed was an absolute delight to read. Highly recommended for lovers of YA contemp, fantasy, and paranormal.
And I guess that's what Andrea does the best - she balances the whole messy, precarious mix of human emotions so exquisitely and writes them in such a real voice that the story grabs hold of your heart.
Though Wavecrossed is an addictive, fast-paced, adrenaline-filled story of two teens' race to save their families, it manages to be introspective and heartwrenching, too. A selkie girl learning to trust in the kindness of strangers when all she's ever known was humans trying to hurt and enslave her and everyone she loves makes a powerful backdrop, but at its heart, Wavecrossed is something different. It's a story of learning to let go of control even at the scariest moments of life, accepting that even the worst people can change their ways, and letting yourself believe in the goodness of others, even when you've been burned over and over again.
Wavecrossed was an absolute delight to read. Highly recommended for lovers of YA contemp, fantasy, and paranormal.
September 12, 2013
Between fantasy and reality
Ever since I read Torched, Andrea s first book, I fell in love with her writing so I checked her page constantly to see when will her next book be out. Then I saw there will be a blog tour for her new book and I had to sign up and I dont regret it. This book is so different from the contemporary Torched since it is YA paranormal yet the writing is underlined with Colt humor. I really liked Wavecrossed. I never read about selkies, at least that I can remember, so it was fascinating to me. All of the characters were amazingly interesting. Cassandra, the main character, annoyed me sometimes but you cant help but find her endearing. Her twin brother Brennan is one awesome dude, Liesl is a great friend and then there is Paul, swoony Paul, the love interest. This book will stay with me because of it uniqueness, the writing and the humor. I hope you read it.
November 16, 2013
******* 3.5 stars******
This was only the second book about selkies that I’ve read, and I like that it’s slightly out of the mainstream of fantasy storylines. Wavecrossed takes the opposite approach of the Little Mermaid-style sea creature/human storyline, with a heroine who’s been on land her whole life but now wants the freedom that the ocean and her true form will bring her.
Cassandra and her twin brother Brennan were essentially trapped, even though they had gotten back their seal skins from the twisted and powerful mayor Douglas Murphy. They had the newfound knowledge of their selkie heritage, and the freedom to shift, but everything came with a price. Murphy may have returned the twins’ seal skins, but he still held onto those of their parents and brother, leaving them not only partially tied to the land, but at his mercy. It was such a torturous position for the teens to be in; they were free to turn into their true form and enjoy the freedom that the water gave them, but Cassandra refused to leave her family behind. And thanks to Murphy’s position of authority and the power he held over their heads with their family’s seal skins, the twins were forced to do his bidding and smile doing it. Murphy definitely made my blood boil, I mean this guy was arrogant and self-righteous to the nth degree. We don’t get a lot of back story with how Cassandra and Brennan’s family was trapped or why, which was a little frustrating, but Murphy was a great antagonist.
The twins had spent a great deal of time and money trying to get their hands on their family’s seal skins, even paying a contractor to search the Murphy’s home. What they were doing was very risky, because he was not someone to be trifled with, and the impending danger was always lurking on the sidelines. And this is where the aid of the handsome and curious Paul Alderson of the Selkie Rescue League came in handy. Reluctant to admit who he was and what his group did at first, he and Cassandra had a rather bumpy introduction. But his ties to the selkies was a neat twist, and he made for a pretty sexy distraction from all of the entrapment drama. There wasn’t much going on in terms of steam factor here, but he and Cassandra definitely had good chemistry.
Final take: I liked this story, but the plot and characters all felt a little under-developed; we just don’t get a lot of back story and the relationships start and stop without any real emotional depth to speak of. And this really turned out to be more of a fantasy tale than a romance of any kind, which was a little disappointing, but I appreciated the unexpected nature of the ending. Overall, it was an enjoyable story, and something unique in the YA fantasy genre.
Quotes:
Until two-and-a-half years ago Brennan and I had been trapped too; we hadn’t even known our true natures then, so we’d grown up like normal kids, or near enough. ~Loc 89
Despite my lack of exposure to the internet, I wasn’t totally ignorant of memes; I felt like someone had stamped me with a Seduction: you’re doing it wrong stamp. ~Loc 1578
I swallowed hard, tears pricking my eyes. My twin had been by my side since the day we’d discovered our true natures. I wasn’t sure I knew who I was without him. But if he swam away from our family…I wasn’t going with him. ~Loc 2990
Watch for this and other of my reviews at: http://www.autumnreview.com/search/la...
August 27, 2013
I read Torched by Andrea Colt last year and really, really loved it. She's brilliant at creating characters and her writing is amazing. She's definitely an author that I will always watch for. That being said, I was a bit concerned with Wavecrossed because it's about Selkies. These kinds of books are really hit or miss for me, more often being a miss. But somehow Andrea Colt made it all work really, really well.
Cassandra is the main character and her and her twin brother are determined to get their parents sealskins back. So determined that at times I grew frustrated with Cassandra. She had a hard time trusting anyone and it made her kind of mean at times. It's like she had this goal and nothing was going to stop her. She'd forget about being nice, or taking others into consideration and it led her to say and do some stupid things. But this is part of the story, it's about her discovering that she has to trust others in order for things to work. And we see her grow tremendously through the story. So while I was frustrated with her while I was reading, by the end I found I really liked her. Even when I was frustrated with her and her behavior, I was still enjoying the book a lot, so in the end it's not really a negative. It's nice to see growth in characters anyway.
Cassandra and her brother Brennan are not only twins but best friends. I loved how they were portrayed in the book. We see how close they are, how much they love each other, but we also see the normal sibling fighting. It felt real and I loved that relationship between them.
There is romance in the book and while it's not really a major part of it, I found I really enjoyed it a lot. The love interest is really great and while we don't know what to think of him at first he's just someone you can't help but love. Especially since we meet him while he's reading a book. At a party... Yep. And the banter between Cassandra and him is so, so fun. They just keep getting into predicaments and they gave me plenty of laughs.
The whole Selkie mythology or whatever is fascinating. I feel like we didn't learn a ton, but we learned stuff as Cassandra did so there wasn't any info dumps and I felt like I learned enough that I don't feel any gaps or any need to know more. Somehow it was just right. It was creative and unique and I felt it worked really well. One reason I may have enjoyed it was because they live on land and the time in the water is minimal. Other books I've read they've had like underwater kingdoms and that didn't work for me.
This was a pretty fast read, with some intense moments. It was extremely well wrote with an amazing cast of characters. As far as I can tell so far, this is a stand alone, and it has a conclusion, but I wouldn't mind more. I would love to see where things go and if Andrea Colt were to write a sequel I would be all over it! I most definitely recommend this one!
You can find this review, and others like it, on my blog at http://www.candacesbookblog.com
Cassandra is the main character and her and her twin brother are determined to get their parents sealskins back. So determined that at times I grew frustrated with Cassandra. She had a hard time trusting anyone and it made her kind of mean at times. It's like she had this goal and nothing was going to stop her. She'd forget about being nice, or taking others into consideration and it led her to say and do some stupid things. But this is part of the story, it's about her discovering that she has to trust others in order for things to work. And we see her grow tremendously through the story. So while I was frustrated with her while I was reading, by the end I found I really liked her. Even when I was frustrated with her and her behavior, I was still enjoying the book a lot, so in the end it's not really a negative. It's nice to see growth in characters anyway.
Cassandra and her brother Brennan are not only twins but best friends. I loved how they were portrayed in the book. We see how close they are, how much they love each other, but we also see the normal sibling fighting. It felt real and I loved that relationship between them.
There is romance in the book and while it's not really a major part of it, I found I really enjoyed it a lot. The love interest is really great and while we don't know what to think of him at first he's just someone you can't help but love. Especially since we meet him while he's reading a book. At a party... Yep. And the banter between Cassandra and him is so, so fun. They just keep getting into predicaments and they gave me plenty of laughs.
The whole Selkie mythology or whatever is fascinating. I feel like we didn't learn a ton, but we learned stuff as Cassandra did so there wasn't any info dumps and I felt like I learned enough that I don't feel any gaps or any need to know more. Somehow it was just right. It was creative and unique and I felt it worked really well. One reason I may have enjoyed it was because they live on land and the time in the water is minimal. Other books I've read they've had like underwater kingdoms and that didn't work for me.
This was a pretty fast read, with some intense moments. It was extremely well wrote with an amazing cast of characters. As far as I can tell so far, this is a stand alone, and it has a conclusion, but I wouldn't mind more. I would love to see where things go and if Andrea Colt were to write a sequel I would be all over it! I most definitely recommend this one!
You can find this review, and others like it, on my blog at http://www.candacesbookblog.com
December 12, 2013
I have never read about selkies before, so that was the main reason I wanted to read Wavecrossed, as well as loving Colt’s debut contemporary YA, Torched.
The selkie aspect of the story was fascinating and my favorite part of Wavecrossed. Cassandra’s parents and older brother’s sealskins have been stolen by a man who uses that power to manipulate and control all of them. You can really feel the compelling need to leave land and go back to the ocean where they belong and how painful it is to lose their sealskin. It was a more ….animalistic…and realistic portrayal than the I’m used to in paranormal. In particular YA that would typically be yay! I’m a seal but I want to stay on land with hot boy!
For a selkie primer – check out Selkies 101 by Andrea Colt
Even human attachments can’t break the lure to the sea and their kind. That was very interesting to see how it all played out as they explore their seal nature vs. their humanity.
I felt the tone of Wavecrossed fluctuated a bit between very young YA in the beginning and then older (but not graphic) YA towards the second half. Cass is maturing but it was kind of abrupt, especially when it came to the romance aspect. (Also – NICE guy alert!)
Cass was also incredibly selfish towards others needs and feelings. Let me clarify – she’s incredibly devoted to her family and will do ANYTHING to save them. I really admired her for that but she also refused to see what might truly make THEM happy at times & could be kind of coldhearted to friends. To be fair, she does grow throughout the book and some of this can be attributed to her selkie nature but it was difficult to like her at times.
The ending was a bit unconventional and I loved it. The only thing that kept me from truly loving this book was Cass and I originally gave it 3 stars on Goodreads because of that. Then I saw there was going to be a sequel and that changes everything, especially when I read the summary. I can see now that Cass is in for some changes and I need to be mindful that she’s still learning and growing. I’m usually down on sequels these days but I’m looking forward to this one because it promises to fill in a few things that I felt were missing here.
Final thoughts: If you’re looking for something a little different in the paranormal YA world – check out Wavecrossed. After reading two books by Colt, I can see that her stories go a little left of center and aren’t predictable and I like that. I wish the overall tone was more even – either younger YA or older and that Cassandra was a tad more likable earlier on but still a fun read and I’ll be looking out for the sequel.
Review also posted on my blog: http://www.fwiwreviews.net/2013/12/re...
The selkie aspect of the story was fascinating and my favorite part of Wavecrossed. Cassandra’s parents and older brother’s sealskins have been stolen by a man who uses that power to manipulate and control all of them. You can really feel the compelling need to leave land and go back to the ocean where they belong and how painful it is to lose their sealskin. It was a more ….animalistic…and realistic portrayal than the I’m used to in paranormal. In particular YA that would typically be yay! I’m a seal but I want to stay on land with hot boy!
For a selkie primer – check out Selkies 101 by Andrea Colt
Even human attachments can’t break the lure to the sea and their kind. That was very interesting to see how it all played out as they explore their seal nature vs. their humanity.
I felt the tone of Wavecrossed fluctuated a bit between very young YA in the beginning and then older (but not graphic) YA towards the second half. Cass is maturing but it was kind of abrupt, especially when it came to the romance aspect. (Also – NICE guy alert!)
Cass was also incredibly selfish towards others needs and feelings. Let me clarify – she’s incredibly devoted to her family and will do ANYTHING to save them. I really admired her for that but she also refused to see what might truly make THEM happy at times & could be kind of coldhearted to friends. To be fair, she does grow throughout the book and some of this can be attributed to her selkie nature but it was difficult to like her at times.
The ending was a bit unconventional and I loved it. The only thing that kept me from truly loving this book was Cass and I originally gave it 3 stars on Goodreads because of that. Then I saw there was going to be a sequel and that changes everything, especially when I read the summary. I can see now that Cass is in for some changes and I need to be mindful that she’s still learning and growing. I’m usually down on sequels these days but I’m looking forward to this one because it promises to fill in a few things that I felt were missing here.
Final thoughts: If you’re looking for something a little different in the paranormal YA world – check out Wavecrossed. After reading two books by Colt, I can see that her stories go a little left of center and aren’t predictable and I like that. I wish the overall tone was more even – either younger YA or older and that Cassandra was a tad more likable earlier on but still a fun read and I’ll be looking out for the sequel.
Review also posted on my blog: http://www.fwiwreviews.net/2013/12/re...
June 27, 2015
The synopsis of Wavecrossed may put you off from reading it simply because it is a book about selkies (I've never run across one before), but don’t be afraid of something you don’t know, selkies are pretty cool and Wavecrossed will delight you. I enjoyed every second of my time while reading Wavecrossed. I’ve never read a book about selkies, but I’m really glad I got over my fear of the unknown and embraced this wonderful new mythology. Sure some of it was a little weird at first, but it grew on me, and this story is one worth discovering. It’s full of laughs, cuteness, uniqueness, and mysteriousness.
The plot (just in general) and its pacing is magnificent. There are no huge info dumps, everything you need to know about selkies and the main character Cassandra’s family history are handled nicely. Another great quirk, there is a good amount of interesting surprises and it’s a short and fast paced read. I also really enjoyed the fact that teenage romance isn't the main focus and was handled pretty well making Wavecrossed a nice change from the norm. I was only bothered a tiny bit by two little things. There is some corniness throughout the novel with the abundance of nautical terms, but for the most part it works. The only thing that bothered me a little about that was the fake curse words. There was a tiny plot hole that irked me, but it was quickly pushed out of my mind and easily written off as me over analyzing. Therefore the impressiveness of Wavecrossed outweighs the two tiny hiccups I came across.
All of the characters are interesting and I cared about them, which is a big selling point for me. Cassandra is overly paranoid but it makes sense, plus she is charming and actually reminds me of a real teenager, besides the fact that she is a selkie of course. Her brother has more common sense and is just as likable. I love the brother-sister interactions in
Wavecrossed and the interesting family dynamics. There are also a lot of minor characters that are just as good as the main characters. Oh and the evil man that is holding her family captive is a great villain, he is actually complex and I love that.
I recommend that you read this one. It will be worth your time and it’s very unique. If you have yet to discover the interesting lives of selkies then you should give Wavecrossed a chance. This would be even more fun to read on the beach and since the summer is almost over you should read it sooner rather than later. Plus, there is going to be a sequel that I can’t wait to get my hands on!
**I received a free copy of this book from the author for my honest review. Thanks Andrea!
The plot (just in general) and its pacing is magnificent. There are no huge info dumps, everything you need to know about selkies and the main character Cassandra’s family history are handled nicely. Another great quirk, there is a good amount of interesting surprises and it’s a short and fast paced read. I also really enjoyed the fact that teenage romance isn't the main focus and was handled pretty well making Wavecrossed a nice change from the norm. I was only bothered a tiny bit by two little things. There is some corniness throughout the novel with the abundance of nautical terms, but for the most part it works. The only thing that bothered me a little about that was the fake curse words. There was a tiny plot hole that irked me, but it was quickly pushed out of my mind and easily written off as me over analyzing. Therefore the impressiveness of Wavecrossed outweighs the two tiny hiccups I came across.
All of the characters are interesting and I cared about them, which is a big selling point for me. Cassandra is overly paranoid but it makes sense, plus she is charming and actually reminds me of a real teenager, besides the fact that she is a selkie of course. Her brother has more common sense and is just as likable. I love the brother-sister interactions in
Wavecrossed and the interesting family dynamics. There are also a lot of minor characters that are just as good as the main characters. Oh and the evil man that is holding her family captive is a great villain, he is actually complex and I love that.
I recommend that you read this one. It will be worth your time and it’s very unique. If you have yet to discover the interesting lives of selkies then you should give Wavecrossed a chance. This would be even more fun to read on the beach and since the summer is almost over you should read it sooner rather than later. Plus, there is going to be a sequel that I can’t wait to get my hands on!
**I received a free copy of this book from the author for my honest review. Thanks Andrea!
September 4, 2013
It was my first time to read about selkies! It didn't take me long before I get the hang of it. Especially with how they change their form and stuff. It was an easy read to know about selkies and to know about Cassandra's family. It was a smooth read for me. Its pacing was nice all throughout, never fast or slow.
It wasn't hard to feel for Cassandra. She loved her family so much so she's willing to give in to anything. I admire her courage all along. Although sometimes, I felt like she was being too stubborn. To the point that she wouldn't think of the consequences of her actions. She could have acted better because they were given the second chance already, right? So I expected her to be more careful and deliberate in her decisions. But that wasn't the case. Instead of solving their problem, she was actually digging their graves. Good thing, she wasn't the only one who loved their family. I also couldn't blame her that she can't trust other people outside her family. Who knows what someone will try to do with them, anyway?
Oh yeah, I enjoyed the relationship of Cass and Brennan. They were pretty close with each other as twins. Their true nature must be a big factor. They really had each other's back even if they don't agree with each other.
The reason why Cassandra's family was bound to Ashlyn's family was quite blurred. For me. Not the paranormal stuff. But their connections way way back. I know Ashlyn's roots were mentioned but the direct reason as to how Cassandra's parents knew Ashlyn's Dad was missing. Or did I miss it? Please tell me how they knew one another! I might have missed it.
I enjoyed the paranormal stuff more than I thought I would. It was fascinating, entertaining and scary all the same time. The story ended pretty much resolved. But I'd love to see more of Cassandra's family out in the water!
Wavecrossed is an entertaining paranormal read. You'll enjoy the selkies' interaction with the human world. There's also a bit of romance for the twins! You'll see how one's love for his/her family in both the good and bad sides.
Originally posted at The Bookish Confections
It wasn't hard to feel for Cassandra. She loved her family so much so she's willing to give in to anything. I admire her courage all along. Although sometimes, I felt like she was being too stubborn. To the point that she wouldn't think of the consequences of her actions. She could have acted better because they were given the second chance already, right? So I expected her to be more careful and deliberate in her decisions. But that wasn't the case. Instead of solving their problem, she was actually digging their graves. Good thing, she wasn't the only one who loved their family. I also couldn't blame her that she can't trust other people outside her family. Who knows what someone will try to do with them, anyway?
Oh yeah, I enjoyed the relationship of Cass and Brennan. They were pretty close with each other as twins. Their true nature must be a big factor. They really had each other's back even if they don't agree with each other.
The reason why Cassandra's family was bound to Ashlyn's family was quite blurred. For me. Not the paranormal stuff. But their connections way way back. I know Ashlyn's roots were mentioned but the direct reason as to how Cassandra's parents knew Ashlyn's Dad was missing. Or did I miss it? Please tell me how they knew one another! I might have missed it.
I enjoyed the paranormal stuff more than I thought I would. It was fascinating, entertaining and scary all the same time. The story ended pretty much resolved. But I'd love to see more of Cassandra's family out in the water!
Wavecrossed is an entertaining paranormal read. You'll enjoy the selkies' interaction with the human world. There's also a bit of romance for the twins! You'll see how one's love for his/her family in both the good and bad sides.
Originally posted at The Bookish Confections
September 9, 2013
originally posted here: http://alwayslostinbooks.wordpress.co...
When I read the synopsis for this book, I thought that selkies would be some beautiful, mystical sea creatures. Apparently, I was wrong. Selkies are seals that can turn into humans and has brains like a human when in seal form. They need their sealskins to transform into seals.
Cass’ family lost their sealskins when the Murphy family stole them. As an effect of the possession of their sealskins, the family are very devoted to their captors, the Murphy family. But Cass’ older brother, Declan, made a deal with Douglas Murphy that allowed Cass and her twin, Brennan, to have their sealskins back. They had freedom, but they couldn’t enjoy it without their family. However, Douglas Murphy would never allow the rest of them to be released, and Cass and Brennan must work hard if they could ever have a chance of success.
I found it funny how Andrea Colt was able to come up with so many sea/water/ocean/etc. puns, jokes, and references. I think that helped with the overall theme of the book, and made it a lot more enjoyable. There were a couple of predictable or cliche parts, but I was just enjoying the whole thing that I didn’t even mind. I must admit that I liked most of the side characters more though.
Cass is a person that’s very hard to like. Maybe because she doesn’t even try. She doesn’t trust anyone and she’s very bossy. She’s very paranoid. I admit that I got frustrated with her a lot with the way she deals with things. I think she’s just broken by what happened to her family. But she’s also very determined and strong so I think she has her redeeming points. By the end of the book, she pretty much won me over.
OVERALL, this book made me excited, surprised, happy, frustrated, elated, and sad. It’s just a bundle of emotions and I enjoyed it. The selkies were pretty new to me so it was interesting to learn about them. I liked the writing and the whole concept. I would definitely recommend this book for those who like fantasy young adult books.
When I read the synopsis for this book, I thought that selkies would be some beautiful, mystical sea creatures. Apparently, I was wrong. Selkies are seals that can turn into humans and has brains like a human when in seal form. They need their sealskins to transform into seals.
Cass’ family lost their sealskins when the Murphy family stole them. As an effect of the possession of their sealskins, the family are very devoted to their captors, the Murphy family. But Cass’ older brother, Declan, made a deal with Douglas Murphy that allowed Cass and her twin, Brennan, to have their sealskins back. They had freedom, but they couldn’t enjoy it without their family. However, Douglas Murphy would never allow the rest of them to be released, and Cass and Brennan must work hard if they could ever have a chance of success.
I found it funny how Andrea Colt was able to come up with so many sea/water/ocean/etc. puns, jokes, and references. I think that helped with the overall theme of the book, and made it a lot more enjoyable. There were a couple of predictable or cliche parts, but I was just enjoying the whole thing that I didn’t even mind. I must admit that I liked most of the side characters more though.
Cass is a person that’s very hard to like. Maybe because she doesn’t even try. She doesn’t trust anyone and she’s very bossy. She’s very paranoid. I admit that I got frustrated with her a lot with the way she deals with things. I think she’s just broken by what happened to her family. But she’s also very determined and strong so I think she has her redeeming points. By the end of the book, she pretty much won me over.
OVERALL, this book made me excited, surprised, happy, frustrated, elated, and sad. It’s just a bundle of emotions and I enjoyed it. The selkies were pretty new to me so it was interesting to learn about them. I liked the writing and the whole concept. I would definitely recommend this book for those who like fantasy young adult books.
September 11, 2013
I have never read a book about selkies before and I never actually had the idea there is! I don't even know what a selkie is. So when I learned about this tour, I signed up for the review with no idea what to expect.
This book is mainly about family and trust. I can fully understand the way Cassandra feels, and if I were she, I would've done the same thing -- to do everything to bring her family back the way it is. Cassandra is a perfect example of hope and strength. All along, she never gave up for her family, unlike her twin, Brennan, who almost lost hope.
I love the characters in this book, especially Liesel. She's a nerdy girl who accidentally found out about Cassandra and Brennan's secret. She helped them to save their family by befriending Ashlyn to find out where their parents' sealskins were hidden. I adore Liesel for helping them though it means risking her life as well. I love her tandem with Brennan, it's just that they can't be together... *sniffs* Then here comes Paul, a sarcastic hot guy and member of a society who helps save selkies. Cass and Paul would've been perfect for each other, but again, Cass is a selkie. How sad.
The ending part made me happy and frustrated at the same time. Happy, because Cass and Brennan's family were finally free, but frustrated for the love story of Cass and Paul, and Liesel and Brennan. I mean, they could've been together, right? They're still part humans and they can stay on land. So why don't they just stay where they are, continue living on lands during day, and swim at night? After all, they're finally safe. This could've made a better ending.
However, the entire story is not boring at all. The pacing is moderate but when you couldn't stop reading this, you'll find out it's a fast read. I was captivated by the twins' determination to free their family and would totally recommend this to add to your to-read books.
This book is mainly about family and trust. I can fully understand the way Cassandra feels, and if I were she, I would've done the same thing -- to do everything to bring her family back the way it is. Cassandra is a perfect example of hope and strength. All along, she never gave up for her family, unlike her twin, Brennan, who almost lost hope.
"Looks were a mask; you couldn't trust them. They never showed the person underneath. I knew that better than most."
I love the characters in this book, especially Liesel. She's a nerdy girl who accidentally found out about Cassandra and Brennan's secret. She helped them to save their family by befriending Ashlyn to find out where their parents' sealskins were hidden. I adore Liesel for helping them though it means risking her life as well. I love her tandem with Brennan, it's just that they can't be together... *sniffs* Then here comes Paul, a sarcastic hot guy and member of a society who helps save selkies. Cass and Paul would've been perfect for each other, but again, Cass is a selkie. How sad.
The ending part made me happy and frustrated at the same time. Happy, because Cass and Brennan's family were finally free, but frustrated for the love story of Cass and Paul, and Liesel and Brennan. I mean, they could've been together, right? They're still part humans and they can stay on land. So why don't they just stay where they are, continue living on lands during day, and swim at night? After all, they're finally safe. This could've made a better ending.
However, the entire story is not boring at all. The pacing is moderate but when you couldn't stop reading this, you'll find out it's a fast read. I was captivated by the twins' determination to free their family and would totally recommend this to add to your to-read books.
August 15, 2013
It's the first time in a while that I have found as many quotes as I found in Wavecrossed to share with you. But that's what happens when the author has an excellent style of writing that is modern and perfect for this book.
I learnt something from Wavecrossed. About something called a selkie. You might want to look up what a selkie is before reading because I assumed the book was about mermaids or something from the watery cover, so I kind of went huh? when I began reading.
The characters were awesome, particularly Brennan and Leisel. Admittedly, Cassandra's attitude annoyed me sometimes, but other than that I pretty much liked all of them (Cassandra included). There was every character you could want, a nice girl - Leisel, a bad girl - Ashlyn, a villain - Mr Murphy, a nice and yet a little bad guy - Brennan and of course Paul just has a category of his own.
I got a little bit annoyed every time a character's lips quirked because that seemed to happen at least twice a chapter. But other than that, I'm not complaining.
I would recommend this to people who like water themed books (mermaids, selkies, etc.) and enjoy writing with a modern feel to it.
Here are some quotes I loved:
"Midnight is the perfect time to eat a turtle" - the first sentence (1%)
"Looks were a mask; you couldn't trust them. They never showed the person underneath." - 26%
"Your getting your ass kicked by a wall." I said, "That's embarrassing."
Paul turned. He scanned me from head to toe and I thought would comment on my new outfit but all he said was, "This wall competed I the Olympics." - 85%
4/5 stars
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review as part of a blog tour.
I learnt something from Wavecrossed. About something called a selkie. You might want to look up what a selkie is before reading because I assumed the book was about mermaids or something from the watery cover, so I kind of went huh? when I began reading.
The characters were awesome, particularly Brennan and Leisel. Admittedly, Cassandra's attitude annoyed me sometimes, but other than that I pretty much liked all of them (Cassandra included). There was every character you could want, a nice girl - Leisel, a bad girl - Ashlyn, a villain - Mr Murphy, a nice and yet a little bad guy - Brennan and of course Paul just has a category of his own.
I got a little bit annoyed every time a character's lips quirked because that seemed to happen at least twice a chapter. But other than that, I'm not complaining.
I would recommend this to people who like water themed books (mermaids, selkies, etc.) and enjoy writing with a modern feel to it.
Here are some quotes I loved:
"Midnight is the perfect time to eat a turtle" - the first sentence (1%)
"Looks were a mask; you couldn't trust them. They never showed the person underneath." - 26%
"Your getting your ass kicked by a wall." I said, "That's embarrassing."
Paul turned. He scanned me from head to toe and I thought would comment on my new outfit but all he said was, "This wall competed I the Olympics." - 85%
4/5 stars
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review as part of a blog tour.
October 28, 2013
Cassandra and Brennan have real problems. But they aren’t going to roll over and let their problems roll over them. They are going to fight against the forces that dictate their freedom, family and happiness. These two are going to find help and friendship in a couple of unlikely allies. There is quite a bit of action and lots of danger. In the end, Cassie and Brennan stay true to their mission which is Free their Family at all cost.
I’ve read so much paranormal over the past few years. I never thought I’d run up against something I couldn’t wrap my brain around. Well selkies were kind of a magical roadblock for me. Humans that when they hold their sealskin turn into seals. But if their sealskins are stolen, they can be locked into a quasi-indentured servitude. I just couldn’t get the image of my husband with his childhood binki out of my head. Regardless, I am still impressed with ANDREA’s ability to create a completely new world for me to navigate with unique angles on teen dynamics.
I’ve read so much paranormal over the past few years. I never thought I’d run up against something I couldn’t wrap my brain around. Well selkies were kind of a magical roadblock for me. Humans that when they hold their sealskin turn into seals. But if their sealskins are stolen, they can be locked into a quasi-indentured servitude. I just couldn’t get the image of my husband with his childhood binki out of my head. Regardless, I am still impressed with ANDREA’s ability to create a completely new world for me to navigate with unique angles on teen dynamics.
August 26, 2013
The novel has a great set-up, which left me asking lots of questions, which of course then hooked me into the novel.
I loved the interaction between Cassandra and Brennan. Their relationship was typical of a brother and sister and very believable. I really felt for them both and their horrible situation. I'll admit, I did find Cassandra's paranoid and icy behaviour a little irritating at times, however I understood why she behaved the way she did and why she was so independent. I liked her fierceness, determination and loyalty.
Brennan was an excellent character. He was partly a foil to Cassandra's paranoia and also provided a lot of humorous moments in the story. I would have loved to have seen more of him.
Wavecrossed is a compelling story about teenagers fighting for their rights. I would recommend it to people who enjoy stories with mythological creatures and strong characters.
I loved the interaction between Cassandra and Brennan. Their relationship was typical of a brother and sister and very believable. I really felt for them both and their horrible situation. I'll admit, I did find Cassandra's paranoid and icy behaviour a little irritating at times, however I understood why she behaved the way she did and why she was so independent. I liked her fierceness, determination and loyalty.
Brennan was an excellent character. He was partly a foil to Cassandra's paranoia and also provided a lot of humorous moments in the story. I would have loved to have seen more of him.
Wavecrossed is a compelling story about teenagers fighting for their rights. I would recommend it to people who enjoy stories with mythological creatures and strong characters.
Want to read
March 20, 2015I've read another book from this author and I loved it. Though it was completely different, I do hold the hope that this will be my kind of book just as well :)
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