Fathomless by Jackson Pearce
♦pubisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
♦release date: September 4, 2012
♦hardcover, 304 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦source: ALA
Celia Reynolds is the youngest in a set of triplets and the one with the least valuable power. Anne can see the future, and Jane can see the present, but all Celia can see is the past. And the past seems so insignificant -- until Celia meets Lo.
Lo doesn't know who she is. Or who she was. Once a human, she is now almost entirely a creature of the sea -- a nymph, an ocean girl, a mermaid -- all terms too pretty for the soulless monster she knows she's becoming. Lo clings to shreds of her former self, fighting to remember her past, even as she's tempted to embrace her dark immortality.
When a handsome boy named Jude falls off a pier and into the ocean, Celia and Lo work together to rescue him from the waves. The two form a friendship, but soon they find themselves competing for Jude's affection. Lo wants more than that, though. According to the ocean girls, there's only one way for Lo to earn back her humanity. She must persuade a mortal to love her . . . and steal his soul.
Lo doesn't know who she is. Or who she was. Once a human, she is now almost entirely a creature of the sea -- a nymph, an ocean girl, a mermaid -- all terms too pretty for the soulless monster she knows she's becoming. Lo clings to shreds of her former self, fighting to remember her past, even as she's tempted to embrace her dark immortality.
When a handsome boy named Jude falls off a pier and into the ocean, Celia and Lo work together to rescue him from the waves. The two form a friendship, but soon they find themselves competing for Jude's affection. Lo wants more than that, though. According to the ocean girls, there's only one way for Lo to earn back her humanity. She must persuade a mortal to love her . . . and steal his soul.
Review:
Fathomless, as promised, is a retelling of Little Mermaid in only a way that Jackson Pearce can do it. Her mind is an amazing place where typical fairy tales swirl in a wonderland of their own. Spinning and twirling and falling into a rabbit hole only to emerge in our world. I love how she makes fairy tales relevant in today's world.
This book was written from the view of a few different characters. At first, this made it alittle hard for me to fall deeply into each character, but as you read on you see why you need to read from so many character views at once.
Fathomless is a creative spin on the true story of Little Mermaid not to be confused with Disney's happy, feel-good, red haired little mermaid longing to fall in love and become human. This tale grips you with the story of mergirls---death and the deep longing of discovering who they are and what they will do to regain their souls. Even thought this story is captivating in its own right, it is a dark and realistic retelling with a wonderful twisted ending which I have come to love and expect from Jackson Pearce. Once again a very quick read as all her books are, purely because you find yourself unable to put it down. I can't wait to see what fairytale is traveling down the rabbit hole, waiting for Jackson Pearce to spin out for us to read next.
Oh, and can I just add... It was such an honor to meet Jackson Pearce at ALA. She is everything you would expect her to be---beautiful, whimsical, and seems like she would fit perfectly into any fairytale.
I haven't read any of Jackson Pearce's books yet, but I'm dying to! I'm interested in seeing how she spins The Little Mermaid. Sounds like she does an excellent job! Great review.
ReplyDeleteDebz @ Debz Bookshelf
I love Pearce's books, but I didn't know about this one! Can't wait to read it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I'm glad you liked it. I know I will. I've only read one book by Jackson, but all of them are on my list. I love her Youtube video and she's a fantastic writer. I need to read Sisters Red soon so I can read in order of publication date.
ReplyDeleteThis actually sounds like something I would like. I LOVE fairy tales and retellings. We're talking soul mate kind of love. But.... I have never found mermaids stories very interesting. Maybe it's 'cuz I don't really like the original or the Disney Little Mermaid. But, I've heard wonderful things about Jackson Pearce. I have Sisters Red waiting on the shelf to read, so depending on how I like that one I'll give this a go. Thanks for the lovely review.
ReplyDeleteI was so happy that this was an actual retelling of The Little Mermaid and not the disney retelling. I loved how some parts were dark and gritty. it was fantastic how Jackson pearce also ties all the stories together, i never saw that happening so easily. Great review!!
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