Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

Publication Date: May 10th, 2011

Published By: Walker Books for Young Readers

Hardcover, 352 Pages

Souce: ARC received from the author/ Teen Book Scene Blog Tour

Summary:

"Tempest Maguire wants nothing more than to surf the killer waves near her California home; continue her steady relationship with her boyfriend, Mark; and take care of her brothers and surfer dad. But Tempest is half mermaid, and as her seventeenth birthday approaches, she will have to decide whether to remain on land or give herself to the ocean like her mother. The pull of the water becomes as insistent as her attraction to Kai, a gorgeous surfer whose uncanny abilities hint at an otherworldly identity as well. And when Tempest does finally give in to the water's temptation and enters a fantastical underwater world, she finds that a larger destiny awaits her—and that the entire ocean's future hangs in the balance."

My Review: **** = 4 Stars

I was very eager to read this book as it pertains to mermaids and I haven't read any mermaids books(at least none that I can think of at this time). It is a relatively less written about paranormal type of book than say vampires or werewolves, so it was unique in that aspect alone.

Tempest Maguire's mother left home for the ocean when she was eleven years old. When Tempest's 17th birthday approaches, and the time following, she will have to make the choice of whether to stay human, or to embrace the life her mother passed on to her, that of a mermaid.

I really enjoyed the character relationships throughout the book. Tempest has her on-again off-again boyfriend Mark, and her best guy friends, as well as her best girl friends. She also meets Kai, a fellow water creature, with whom a relationship blossoms. When it comes down to it she is very close to her family, thanks to her mother for abandoning them six years prior.

The whole mermaid ordeal was quite interesting to read about. Especially everything that happens to Tempest along the way, and the ultimate decision she has to make. I really loved the direction  it took and I was very pleased with the outcome.

The general idea has definitely opened up my eyes to other books that fall in this category and I hope I can find other books portraying such creatures as mermaids. Definitely recommend for any fans of magic/paranormal and the likes.

Sherry<3