56. On the Bookshelf (July 2012)

On the bookshelf this month is:

1. The Absolutist by John Boyne

2. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

3. The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney

4. Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

5. Dark World by Zak Bagans and Kelly Crigger

55. "Lies Beneath" by Anne Greenwood Brown

Brown, Anne Greenwood. Lies Beneath. New York: Delcaorte, 2012

320 pages

Reviewed by J. d'Artagnan Love


At first glance, Calder and his sisters appear to be just your above average, attractive teens. Like any person blessed with such beauty, they mesmerize people by simply looking at them. Totally normal, right? Think again. Calder and his sisters are not like most people. They're mermaids with a less than attractive agenda: revenge.

Calder and his sisters, Mariss, Talulah, and Pavati, are set on a mission to seek revenge for the death of their mother. In order to fulfill their goal they must kill Hancock, the father of two girls. The mission is simple at first: find Hancock and drag him to the water where the mermaid siblings can suck the very life out of him. This mission is complicated when Calder who desires to be set free from his controlling sisters, finds himself becoming more and more attached to one of Hancock's daughters, Lily.

This is a really fun read. During the stress of my busy work week, Lies Beneath transported me to another place where my childhood fantasies came true. The writing was clear and accessible--just what I like about young adult fiction. The plot had a twist at the end I wasn't expecting which tickled me to no end. I don't usually read books more than once, but this is one I could easily read again on a hot summer's day when I need a book to just sit back and enjoy absorbing. If you are looking for a quick, entertaining read this summer, dive into Lies Beneath!!

 3.5 darts out of 5
 Bookshelf project status: KEEP