Review: Flipping the Scales by Pete Tarsi

*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.*

Is it weird for a 26 year-old to have an obsession with mermaids? I liked them when I was younger, went through a bit of a dry spell through my young adult years, and now: WHAM! I'm watching Aquamarine several times a month, am looking up mermaid tail-shaped blankets on Amazon (yes, it's a thing) and now want to read ALL THE MERMAID BOOKS!, apparently. The middle school nostalgia game is strong.

Author: Pete Tarsi

Series: Flipping the Scales #1

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Release Date: November 13, 2014

Pages: 250

Format: Paperback

Average Rating: 4.39
Goodreads

Meredith and Marina’s lives have been flipped upside down. When the translucent skirt that straight-A-student Meredith finds hidden on the beach gets wet, it transforms her legs into a mermaid tail. Despite the evidence in front of her, she insists that becoming a mythical creature isn’t scientifically possible.

Marina is allowed to experience one day per moon cycle among the humans. After hiding her tail on the beach that morning, she takes her first timid steps on land. When she returns at sunset to find it missing, she is left stranded and alone.

For the first time in her life, Meredith doesn’t have all the answers. As she searches for a way to return to normal before the next full moon, she makes waves among the school of mermaids. Meanwhile, Marina uncovers information about her past, and for the first time in her life, she must stand on her own two feet and take the lead on her own adventure. As Meredith senses her human side slipping away, a forbidden way to change back entices her. But it comes with a consequence: Marina wouldn’t be able to return to the ocean.

All Meredith wants to do this summer is study and stay as far away from the ocean as possible, but when she accidentally puts on a mermaid fin disguised as a skirt, college becomes the least of her worries. Meanwhile, without access to her tail, Marina must learn how to walk, talk, and behave like a human until she is able to return to the water. The best part about this book, for me, was the fact that it was so lighthearted and easy to read while also showcasing an incredible friendship and exploring the benefits and repercussions of stepping outside of your comfort zone. Despite the seriousness of losing the only world they have ever known, the switch allows both Meredith and Marina to enjoy a part of their lives they have continually shied away from. Meredith must learn that sometimes it is okay not to have all the answers, while Marina discovers that the best experiences in life do not happen when all you want to do is play it safe, and I think that this is a great idea to get across, particularly to younger readers experiencing the same sort of problems and worries (minus the tail).

The language was a bit difficult for me to follow at times - one of the characters uses text speak during her conversations, and I kept having to stop and figure out what certain things meant (mostly because I am an old lady, apparently, and am completely out of touch with current slang), and I did feel like the romances in this book were a bit unnecessary and did not really add much to the story.

• Of the five girls, I think I connected to Jill the most. A lot of her reactions to things that were going on were the same as mine, and I feel like she was the most mature of the group. None of them seemed like the were sixteen/seventeen, but Jill was definitely the most level-headed and calm, which was surprising, considering that is supposed to be Meredith's territory.
• My favorite part of the book was when Meredith was with Marina and Lorelei's school, and was learning all about the mermaids and how they swim/interact with one another. The underwater politics was something I would definitely have liked to learn a bit more about! 
• I really enjoyed how loyal all of the girls were. A lot of times, books with high school girls as the main character(s) will use arguments and backstabbing to create drama, but there was none of that in this book (I mean, there was one instance of questionable decision-making, but it wasn't followed through), and I found that really refreshing. Lorelei and Marina's friendship was probably my favorite, but they were all great.

 ☆☆☆

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Overall, this book was a great tale (ha) of friendship. It has a lot of heart with some great lessons, and is a fast read. There is a bit of mystery mixed in with all the adorable craziness regarding one of the girls' parents, which sets up for a second book very nicely, and I am interested in seeing how that eventually plays out. Definitely pick it up if you're looking for a cute, summery read!

Now, please excuse me. I am going to go and watch Aquamarine for the hundredth time while singing Part of Your World...

Just a Few Inches by Tara St. Pierre

*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.*

Author: Tara St. Pierre

Series: N/A

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Release Date: May 31, 2015

Pages: 306

Format: Paperback

Average Rating: 4.02

My Rating: 3.5

All Carrie Roberts wants is to be a little bit smaller. To fit into the perfect dress for the Valentine’s Day Dance. To look beautiful for her boyfriend, the school’s star basketball player. To keep his jealous ex-girlfriend, a rival cheerleader, away from him. And to be noticed by her classmates.

Exercising and dieting don’t work, but an advertisement for weight loss pills promises a quicker solution to her problem. As time runs out, she takes more than the recommended dose until she’s just a few inches slimmer. Heads turn when she arrives at the dance, and the wonderful night with her boyfriend is beyond what she dreamed it would be. Days later, Carrie discovers that her body is changing in ways that should be impossible. While her doctor searches for a cure, she desperately turns to her friends and family for support. Everyone is noticing her now whether she likes it or not, and even the media is intrigued by her incredible story. Getting everything she once wanted has created new problems—problems that are growing more terrifying every day.

Because Carrie Roberts is shrinking.

» Review «

This story had a ton of heart and is a great little contemporary tale about acceptance, growth, family and love. In the book, Carrie is distraught because she wants nothing more than to fit into the perfect dress for her school's Valentine's Day dance, which she is sure will impress her boyfriend and classmates. To do this, she enlists the help of some weight loss pills and things kind of spiral from there. In today's society, a story about body shaming and how we compare ourselves to others is extremely relevant, and I thought the author handled the topic very, very well, which I 100% appreciated. Nothing was really glossed over; instead, Carrie regularly comes back to her mistake as she continues to lose weight/height, and openly shares her thoughts, which I think will resonate with younger readers experiencing the same sort of pressures and/or feelings. As a woman in her late 20s, far from the worries that accompany high school and fitting in, I still found the message of this book empowering. Carrie was a great character; though she was a little too eager to please in the beginning, she quickly grew into a feisty young woman that could accept her body the way it was—even at just a few inches tall—and hoped other people could do the same. The familial aspect was great as well; I always enjoy seeing a supportive family come together in a time of crisis, and the Carrie/Amy parts were sweet as I, too, have a headstrong younger sister who was difficult to relate to growing up. The Sci Fi elements of the story were definitely my favorite!

I did find the story predictable and felt like everything was pretty much explained to the reader; there weren't very many surprises, and instead of being descriptive, Carrie usually just came right out and told us what people were thinking and/or feeling. Also, the romance in the second half of the book did move a little too fast for my liking. That being said, fast-moving relationships are a thing, especially in high school, and I am just someone who generally likes to take her time and doesn't understand the concept of feelings developing so quickly. So this may be a part of the plot that only someone like myself would have a problem with.

Spoiler-y Thoughts:

• Because there was such a big age different between myself and Carrie, I had a bit of trouble connecting to her. However, I did really enjoy the introduction of her blog—because HEYO, I have one too!—and how she used it to connect to others and get her story/information across. I would have loved to see this aspect introduced a little sooner because I feel like we didn't get enough time to appreciate it, but I thought it was a great addition.
• I really, really liked Evan.
• I also liked Janelle for some reason? She kind of embodied the classic high school "mean girl," and I was able to relate to her character because of it, since everyone generally experiences someone like that at one point in their lives.
• My favorite part of the entire book is probably when Carrie was "kidnapped" by one of her sister's friends. I felt like I was watching one of the Toy Story movies; particularly when the cat got involved.

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Overall, I thought it was a good book with a great message for young readers. Definitely worth a read!

Movie Review: The Scorch Trials

Director: Wes Ball

Series: The Maze Runner #2
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Teen, Drama

Company: 20th Century Fox

Release Date: September 18, 2015

Run Time: 132 minutes

Summary:

In this next chapter of the epic “Maze Runner” saga, Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) and his fellow Gladers face their greatest challenge yet: searching for clues about the mysterious and powerful organization known as WCKD. Their journey takes them to the Scorch, a desolate landscape filled with unimaginable obstacles. Teaming up with resistance fighters, the Gladers take on WCKD’s vastly superior forces and uncover its shocking plans for them all.

Review:

WARNING: SPOILERS FOR BOTH MOVIES AND ALL THREE BOOKS.

Book Review: A Darker Shade of Magic

Author: V.E. Schwab
Series: A Darker Shade of Magic #1
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: February 24, 2015
Pages: 400
Format: Hardcover
Average Rating: 4.16
Read In: Six days
Source: Amazon

 

Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit.

Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London - but no one speaks of that now.

Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'.

But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive — trickier than they hoped.

☆☆☆☆☆