Review: Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Review: Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn ChildsForgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
Series: Fins #1
Published by HarperCollins
Pages: 293
Genres: Middle Grade, Paranormal YA, Young Adult
Source: Purchased myself
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Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush.

When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.

Thoughts: Wow, is that summary ever… perky! Let me confirm – the writing in Forgive My Fins is about as cheesy and pun-ridden as its summary. Very cute, and very simple to read. If you know a Middle Grader who wishes she were a teen, well, she’d love this book.

Forgive my Fins was really quite cute. It was as Technicolor as its cover and was set in a fishy world that was extremely unique. Think The Little Mermaid, but in jeans and wearing lip gloss. Fun Fun Fun!  I really enjoyed the adorable verse and could have swum right into it, had the pages allowed!

But, God, were the characters – and plot – ever simple: X loves Y who is in love with Z (who is kinda annoying). But wait! Y sees the error of her ways after spending time with X. And they all swim off happily ever after.  The End!

Admittedly, this could be done brilliantly, but in Forgive My Fins it was just done… simply. Nothing truly bad ever happens to any of the characters, and reaching the final happy ending simply took patience. No baddies running in to ruin the day, just a girl who needed time to to come to her senses. This – along with the writing – is what made it a Middle Grade book for me.

On the other hand, Lily is actually a pretty fair (albeit fishy) representation of a typical teenager. She thinks she knows what she wants – she even claims to be in love – but she hasn’t a clue. Even though this ended with an OTP, it does remind you that not all teen love is meant to last – half the time it only exists in your head!

Bottom line? Very fun, light-hearted read.  If you are looking for something to perk you up, look no further!  Just don’t expect a serious discussion about the complete and utter decimation of the world’s fisheries… or a serious discussion about anything, really.

To those of you who have already read it: What was with that last chapter??? Bizarre.

June 2010 Releases: Books I can’t wait to read!

It’s June!  Which means, besides the ludicrous heat and sticky hands on the tube, some of the books I’ve been lusting after are finally coming out.  There are a few more comprehensive lists out there.  Check out Tez Says for a list of June ReleasesAll Things Urban Fantasy for UF releases, and Fiendishly Bookish for a list of PNR/UF releases.But these six books are the ones I will definetaly be getting my hands on. All of them are from new – or new to me – authors that I am curious about.  Also, see the shift in YA themes?  Some how YA paranormal is no longer content with silly old vampires – it’s moving underwater and into the woods!

Sea by Heidi R. Kling (US/UK: June 10th)
Forgive my Fins by Tera Lynn Childs (US/UK: June 1st)
 
13 to Life by Shannon Delany (US: June 22nd UK: August)
Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (US: June 8th – UK: Sept. 2nd)
Shadow Bound by Erin Kellison (US: June 29th – UK: July 20th)
Everlasting by Angie Frazier (US/UK: June 1st)