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Review of Forbidden Sea by Sheila A. Nielson

by | Jul 18, 2011 | Book Review, Books | 14 comments

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:

Forbidden Sea is my favorite book of 2011 (besides my own, of course), easily catapulting itself onto my list of favorite books of all time. Sheila has a talent for seamlessly weaving beautiful descriptions and metaphors into this fast-paced novel. A few examples: “Despite the dancing sunshine . . . Seeing it now, so empty and dark, caused gossamer strands of sadness to drift over me like webs caught in the wind.”

Like Cinderella, Adrianne is basically the mistreated servant of those who should love her. From the book, “They see only with their eyes, and are blinded to the truest treasure that stand before them dressed in the ordinary dust and sweat of a hard life.” But unlike Cinderella, Adrianna isn’t some damsel in distress waiting to be rescued by the prince. She’s scrappy and loyal to a fault.

My only misgiving about the book was the ending felt a little rushed. Still, I’m positive the sequel (ahhh! I WANT!) will wrap things up rather nicely.

Full disclosure: I listened in on a presentation by Sheila and I loved the concept for her book. Thinking it would make a great giveaway book for my blog, I bought a copy.

I burned through the whole thing in one setting. Sorry people. I refuse to give up my white knuckle grip. IT’S MINE. Luckily for you, I told Sheila how much I adored her book and she sent me another to use in a giveaway.

*contest closed* So yes, you have the AMAZING opportunity to own a signed hardcover of this absolutely fantastic book.

Here’s how you enter:

  • Post somewhere that you’re excited about Witch Song OR Forbidden Sea with a backlink to my blog https://www.amberargyle.com/
  • Everywhere you post, you get one point.

Examples:
On Twitter: Two fantastic book’s I’m looking forward to: Witch Song by @amberargyle and Forbidden Sea by @sheilaanielson. http://www.amberarygle.blogspot.com/

On Goodreads: Witch Song author Amber Argyle has been gushing about Forbidden Sea, now I have to go read it! http://www.amberarygle.blogspot.com/

 On Facebook: @amberargyle and @sheilanielsonauthor should totally do a signing together for Witch Song and Forbidden Sea. http://www.amberarygle.blogspot.com/

TALLY UP YOUR OWN POINTS AND LEAVE LINKS or you will not be counted.
Amber Argyle
Author

14 Comments

  1. David Powers King
    David Powers King on July 18, 2011 at 8:56 pm

    Excellent review. I keep hearing good things about this book. Thank you for providing another positive opinion on it.

  4. Donna K. Weaver
    Donna K. Weaver on July 19, 2011 at 2:32 am

    Another book I'll have to add to my "to read" list.

  5. Michael Offutt
    Michael Offutt on July 19, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    When you say "face-paced" novel do you mean "fast-paced" or is this just a new way of describing good books that I'm not familiar with?

  6. Amber Argyle, author
    Amber Argyle, author on July 19, 2011 at 8:04 pm

    Dave: Definitely read it.

    Lisa: I'll count that.

    Erica: Thanks!

    Donna: It's worth it.

    Michael: You're a brat. You know that? 😉

  8. Cami Checketts
    Cami Checketts on July 20, 2011 at 5:33 pm

    I posted it on Twitter. Thanks for the giveaway!

  9. Carrie
    Carrie on July 20, 2011 at 6:03 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway. I am very excited to read your book and now I have added Forbidden Sea to my ever growing TBR pile.

    I retweeted your tweet and I also posted on Goodreads.
    http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/186701583

    Thanks for the review!

  10. book123
    book123 on July 28, 2011 at 1:00 am

    i posted on facebook 1 point for me

  14. Elizabeth H.
    Elizabeth H. on August 5, 2011 at 2:11 pm

    Thanks Shelia! I left it on six different sites, so I get six points!!!!!
    http://sheilanielson.blogspot.com/2009/12/forbidden-sea-on-available-for-pre.html

    http://books.google.com/books/about/Forbidden_Sea.html?id=Jqf3VOjhkz4C&hl=en

    http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6905569-the-forbidden-sea
    Discuss this book

    http://www.facebook.com/?sk=inbox&action=read&tid=id.121891301236723

    http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/611979-read-it

    https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1%20%20buzz#buzz

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