14 August, 2012

#BookReview :: Promises (The Syrenka Series #1) by Amber Garr



"Sometimes following your heart can end up destroying the ones you love. 
When seventeen-year-old Eviana Dumahl is faced with the responsibility of an arranged marriage and clan leadership, she is forced to choose between the life required of a mermaid and one of a teenage girl simply infatuated with the wrong guy. Kain, her devoted fiancé would make a wonderful husband except that she’s been in love with Brendan, a shape-shifting selkie, ever since they were kids. Choosing to abandon her family, her clan, and her life with Kain will have dire consequences far beyond anything she could have imagined.
A war is brewing amongst the clans and Eviana unwittingly becomes a pawn in the intricate schemes of a twisted mastermind. With Brendan’s life on the line, she has no choice but to involve those who she once considered friends. Amidst encountering senseless tragedies and immense loss, Eviana discovers that she is more valuable as a clan leader than anyone ever suspected. Her survival is not only dependent upon the loyalty of her friends, but also on her acceptance of a life that she had so adamantly tried to escape."
Book Review 

“Promises” is the first book in the Syrenka trilogy, followed by Betrayal & Arise.

Eviana Dumahl is like any other girl, living with her doting father, a dominating mother and a irritating younger sister. She goes to high school and dates a guy named Bredan. But what most people do not know about her is that her she belongs to one of the strongest clans, she is the future ruler of the clan, she is engaged to Kain Matthews who is also destined to be the ruler of his clan and her boyfriend is a shape shifting selkie. And Oh! She is a mermaid!! Eviana has been promised to Kain as a way of bringing the two strongest of merpeople clans together. Kain has been in love with Eviana for like forever. And all this while Eviana has been in love with Brendan. But there’s a war brewing and Eviana finds out just how much is on the line when Bredan’s life is threatened. She is forced to grow out of her teenage life and take control. Will she be able to embrace the life she wanted nothing to do with? Will she be able to rely on the friends she once let down?

Look at the cover… isn’t it amazing?? Now, I officially like mermaids!

Ms. Garr has built the most scintillating world with mermaids, selkies, water sprites and many more creatures. Though lacking major action towards the beginning, the climax steals the show. The plot builds up slowly giving us ample idea about the major characters that are going to play important roles in the trilogy. The setting and the dialogues are well done. Author’s attention to detail is amazing – I especially like the way she has described the different species, their lifestyle and their transitions.

Coming to the characters, Eviana is a normal teenage girl, making me feel like shaking her a number of times and say ‘what’s wrong with you?’ She refuses to accept the decisions made by her parents for her and rebels against them. She is utterly in love with Brendan, but at the same time she has a strong connection and very deep feelings for Kain. Having practically grown up together, she feels that Kain is the best friend anyone can have. We see a lot of Kain too. He seems to be matured for his age and though he is scared, he is almost ready to take his position as the leader of his clan. Even before he assumes this role, we know that he would be good at it. However, I found his plan of action to deal with the Eviana – Brendan situation bit immature – that is the only weakness that Kain shows – Eviana. I am yet to make up my mind about Brendan. Especially with the ending that this book has, I don’t think I like Brendan. He loves Eviana, no doubt and they do have a few weeks of complete bliss. But there is something that is holding him back.

Overall, I am mesmerized by the merpeople and intrigued about the brewing war. I am looking forward to betrayal now – I have to know what happens next!




About the Author

Amber Garr spends her days conducting scientific experiments and wondering if her next door neighbor is secretly a vampire. Born in Pennsylvania, she lives in Florida with her husband and their furry kids. Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is certain that she has a supernatural sense of smell. She writes both adult and young adult urban fantasies and when not obsessing over the unknown, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie.

Say Hello to Amber

Giveaway
Ms.Amber Garr has kindly agreed to giveaway an e-copy of her book. Enter in the Rafllecopter below for your chance to choose which one you would like to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


There will also be a tour-wide giveaway. All three (3) signed paperbacks of Promises, Betrayal, and Arise + Swag (“I'll have some cool stuff for them!” as described by Ms. Amber) to one winner. Open INTERNATIONAL, ENDS SEPTEMBER 30, 2012. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Don't forget to drop by here again on 30th August for a review of Betrayal and please do stop by the other tour stops! Click Here for the list of upcoming tour stops. You can also use the linky list below to visits the stops that have already hosted this tour.


9 comments:

  1. Hi Debdatta,

    Thanks so much for the post and for giving the book 4 stars.>:D

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  2. Thank you for your amazing review and for being a part of my tour!! I am looking forward to seeing what you think about the rest of the series! :)
    amber

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  3. alright that's fair. it's actually a fairly interesting story about mermaids

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  4. i haven't read any of the books so if I win I'd choose the earliest one.

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  5. I haven't read any of the books so I would choose the first one.
    Thank you for the giveaway!
    Artemis

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  6. O I haven't heard of this one.
    Great cover!
    (not an entry)

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  7. Amber, I think this is going to be a fascinating read. and Mohur I'm really grateful for all the great reads you're taking me to.

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  8. i was doing one hop and then seen all the other and then your book sound great and would like

    d to read and blog on them
    desi the blonde at msn dot com

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  9. Nope I've not read them at all but I really want to! If I won, I'd like Promises please =) x

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