Summary from GoodReads:

When Adrianne comes face-to-face with the mermaid of Windwaithe Island, she is convinced that the mermaid means her harm. After all, the island is steeped in stories of mermaids’ curses and the ill-luck that they bring. But Adrianne is fierce-willed and courageous and is determined to protect her family and the islanders from danger. Yet when the islanders find out about Adrianne’s encounters with the mermaid, her family is scorned. They believe that once active, the mermaid cannot be quieted until an islander sacrifices herself to the sea. But is the legend true? And will their fear make them force Adrienne to test it? This is a haunting story of love, surrender and strength.

My Review:

I have to admit, since I first saw The Little Mermaid,  I’ve had a fascination with mermaids.  However, I have not been able to find that “perfect” mermaid story because, well, face it: mermaids can be kinda hokey.  Fins, the whole gill-breathing-under-water-thing, an overuse of seashells, how do you make that romantic and well, not dorky?

I’ve read my way through a fair share of mermaid tales.  I’ve seen them be everything from evil sirens out to seduce the human race to their death to misunderstood girls looking for a better place to live.  In all of these stories though, mermaids never quite reached that “not-dorky” level, and I think it’s because of the whole “lose your legs and get a huge, freaking fin” thing.

So what does this have to do with The Forbidden Sea?  Well, when I first got this book, I won it as an ARC (Advanced Readers Copy).  The cover was the original one, picturing a scary looking mermaid, and it looked like it would be another disappointment.  So I put it on my shelf and let it sit.  Now that I’ve been attempting to read my way through the books that I do own, I decided it was time.  I looked it up on GoodReads and saw, to my surprise, a really high rating – but still, this was a story of mermaids…well, I’ll give it a shot.

Oh my gosh, people.  I cannot believe I waited this long to read this book.  It was… perfect.  The voice of Adrienne, her strength as a character, the Cinderella twist, the lore, the myths, the people on the island – it was just plain, wholesome, good fun with some really fantastic messages.  Bullies don’t win, people who treat you badly are hurting, self-blame never works and, most of all, your actions have an impact on others – both good and bad, and your decisions should take that into consideration.

This was a thoroughly clean Young Adult book- no language, the right amount of romance (not even a kiss though – but I didn’t need it, it was so simplistically perfect!), a strong, female protagonist and lots and lots of fun.  If you are aching for a great mermaid story, one that won’t come off as hokey or make you want to roll your eyes, this one is it.

Bravo, Sheila Nelson – you’ve done what I thought to be impossible.  I want to live in this world you’ve created with its flawed people and thrilling mermaids.

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Tales of Whimsy