Last month I was part of a blog tour for The Mermaid’s Pendant by Leann Neal Reilly. I was unable to finish the book prior to my tour date, so I posted the book’s information with my initial thoughts. I was hoping to get the book finished in the matter of a few days, but I had several other reviews, a couple of injuries, the holidays, etc. get in the way. As such, I FINALLY have finished this book.
For the full information on the book, please see my previous post HERE.
My Final Thoughts: This book is HUGE. We’re talking almost 600 pages. One of the longest books I’ve read in a long time, and its length is my excuse for not having finished it sooner. But, I read what I could when I could, and today I made the point of finishing it. It had gotten to the culmination of everything, and finally had the feel of can’t-put-it-down-because-I-must-see-how-it-ends urgency.
As I’m sure is no surprise to you, it is somewhat difficult to write a review for a book that took so long to read, but this time I’m finding that the story is surprisingly clear in my head. That speaks to how well it’s written. Clearly it’s an unforgettable story, and crafted very well. It’s very descriptive, very emotive, and very interesting. I thought the characters were great, especially Valerie, Lucy, and even John. I hated Ana, but then I think that’s the mark of a good antagonist. If you can get your readers hating your bad guy (or gal in this case), you’ve done your job. The most frustrating part was having a crystal clear picture of what exactly it was that she was up to, but seeing everyone else completely unaware. (Although, I do wonder if Valerie had more awareness than she let on.)
This is retelling, no reworking, of the classic fairy tale, The Little Mermaid. Unfortunately, I have not read that, and am only intimately familiar with Disney’s version. But, I do know that the ending actually isn’t a happy one, and that there actually was a moral to the story. In The Mermaid’s Pendant, we lose the depressing ending but keep the moral(s). It is handled very well, and quite beautifully written. Culebra comes to life in vivid color while the story unfolds. The detail with which the story is told really helps the reader see what’s going on. The same could even be said for the Boston area, especially the area behind John and Tamarind’s home.
Overall, I really liked this story a lot. I am sorry it took me so long to finish it, but it definitely was worth the time. I plan to hold on to this book in hopes of having time for a reread somewhere down the road.
My Rating: 5 stars
Again, for further information (including a disclaimer and info on how to buy), check out my post HERE.FTC Disclosure: All items reviewed were either obtained by me for my own enjoyment or sent (from the author, publisher, publicist, via tour sites, etc.) in exchange for an honest review. I receive no monetary compensation for my posts. All opinions expressed are my own.
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Heather, I’m glad you kept reading and found it worth the effort at the end. I try to read fast and slow books, but I always look for something in the slower books to make up for their pace. I’ve actually found it challenging to find enough books that do both well. You’re quite right about Valerie. She definitely knew more than she let on.
Thank you, LeAnn! It was definitely worth it. I got that idea about Valerie when I read her statement to Ana about not feeding the birds. I get the impression that she’s the good to Ana’s evil.
I didn’t realize fully until I’d finished that I’d balanced Ana’s evil with Valerie’s gentleness and faith. I’d always imagined that Lucy was Ana’s foil, but Valerie became Lucy’s predecessor, the one who shows Tamarind that there are different kinds of magic and different motives for using it. Even though Valerie was unlucky in love like Ana, she didn’t become bitter or selfish from her experience.
I read your New Year’s resolutions. Good luck keeping balance in your life, especially regarding reading. I begin to think as I get older that maintaining balance is the key to happiness.
I think Lucy and Valerie work together in helping to take down Ana. Of course, they do so unknowingly (working together, that is). I hate to even say this, but I can kinda understand Ana’s bitterness. She gave up so much for love, only to have it fall apart. Valerie wasn’t a mermaid, was she? I didn’t get the idea that she had been. Perhaps if she’d given up as much as Ana had, she might have felt differently. The same could be said for Lucy. However, that doesn’t excuse the bitterness, or the manipulation. Just thoughts behind why they could feel so differently. (Of course, I know you are the author, so perhaps I’m way off base here! LOL)
I have been enjoying our discussion!
Thank you for the wishes of luck. I need them!
Heather,
I’m enjoying our discussion, too. I haven’t done a lot of it with bloggers. I’m not sure why, but maybe I’ve been too tentative and some haven’t expressed any curiosity about character motivation.
Yes, Ana gave up a lot. But, I agree wholeheartedly that that doesn’t excuse her bitterness or manipulation. Valerie was never a mermaid, but I think she spent years waiting for someone who betrayed that faith. Instead of losing faith in love or giving up on people, she helps those she loves — even when they’re bitter old women. And Lucy, while never a mermaid, certainly had a lot to be bitter for when it came to men and family happiness. With Lucy, I wanted to show what happens when you forgive someone even for a grievous hurt.
I need my own resolution for reading. I’m trying not to get stuck in a rut and read the same types of books or let them distract me too much from my own imagination. I look forward to following your reading on Goodreads this year.
True about Lucy. I loved how that played out! Valerie was a great character. Lucy was, too. Well, they all were. I really enjoyed your book.
Good luck with reading resolutions this year!