Book Review: “Water So Deep” by Nichole Giles

FTC Disclosure: I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

“Water So Deep” by Nichole Giles (2015)

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance

Page Length: 294 pages (ebook)

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Emma Harris is drowning on dry land.

No one knows what’s happening to her, and she’d like to keep her evolution from human to mermaid a secret, but the truth is getting harder and harder to hide. From her adoptive family, from her friends, and especially from the irresistible James Phelps.

Her time in the ocean is spent dodging a possessive merman, while her time on land is split between caring for her special-needs brother and squeezing in every last possible moment of human life. She soon realizes falling for James is unavoidable when he constantly comes to Emma’s rescue and somehow manages to see through her carefully constructed icy facade to the vulnerability she lives with every day. Everything about James makes Emma yearn for a life on land she just can’t have.

When Emma’s brother disappears on her watch, James is the only person she trusts to help her save him. But even if they can save her brother, nothing can prevent her return to the sea. Whether she likes it or not, Emma is changing—unable to breathe without yielding to the tide—and it’s only a matter of time before she’s forced to surrender forever. (description from Goodreads)

*I received this book in exchange for an honest review

Review:

Water So Deep tells the story of Emma, a changeling (mermaid) who is dealing with her departure from her human life and the upcoming transition into her new sea life in Atlantis. Because she is forced to leave her family and friends that she loves she builds up a wall in order to avoid getting attached to others. She also tries to make the most of her last days on land. Emma is scarred by her ex, but soon she learns to fall in love once again.

Emma works hard to try to change her destiny, and even stands up to her future mermaid mate, Merrick (who is a complete jerk). She shows confidence in a situation that has her life spiraling out of control. I also admired the immense love she shows for her family and how she always tries to help them out.

While the story is not a hundred percent original, it is a nicely paced, enjoyable novel. I would have, however, have liked to have seen more depth in some of main characters. The landscapes though were very detailed and seemed so realistic! I had a scenic picture of the beach that Emma frequently visits in the novel.

Final Verdict:

A interesting tale of girl who tries to fights her destiny of a life under water. It falls a bit flat though, because the story seems a bit typical. 3 out of 5 stars. Recommended for fans of mermaid stories.