Review: Emerge by Tobie Easton

Emerge by Tobie Easton
Series: Mer Chronicles #1
Also in the Series: n/a
Source: Month9books
I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book in any way.
Format: ebook
Pages: 310
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy + Mermaids
Rating: 2 Stars
Publisher: Month9books LLC
Release: April 1st 2016

Author's Website | Amazon
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Lia Nautilus may be a Mermaid but she’s never lived in the ocean. War has ravaged the seven seas ever since the infamous Little Mermaid unleashed a curse that stripped Mer of their immortality. Lia has grown up in a secret community of land-dwelling Mer hidden among Malibu’s seaside mansions. Her biggest problems are surviving P.E. and keeping her feelings for Clay Ericson in check. Sure, he’s gorgeous in that cocky, leather jacket sort of way and makes her feel like there’s a school of fish swimming in her stomach, but getting involved with a human could put Lia's entire community at risk.

So it’s for the best that he’s dating that new girl, right? That is, until Lia finds out she isn't the only one at school keeping a potentially deadly secret. And this new girl? Her eyes are dead set on Clay, who doesn't realize the danger he's in. If Lia hopes to save him, she’ll have to get closer to Clay. Lia’s parents would totally flip if they found out she was falling for a human boy, but the more time she spends with him, the harder it is for her to deny her feelings. After making a horrible mistake, Lia will risk everything to stop Clay from falling in love with the wrong girl.

My Review of  Emerge...

I'm nervous to start this review. You're probably asking yourself, why she's nervous to write a book review? Well, it's because this one was a DNF for me. I don't give up on books easily, this is the second time I've DNF'd a book so far in 2016.

Lia is a descendant of The Little Mermaid. This is what drew me in, I love mermaid books, especially a book connected to The Little Mermaid! I ended up growing bored, I felt like the same things were told over & over. I loved the premise, this could have been a great book.

The plot left a lot to be desired, at least for me. I love guessing the plot twist throughout the book, and I love to be proven wrong. Or at least make it a bit difficult, the plot twists in this book were way too easy!

I wasn't a fan of the relationship in Emerge. Lia falls for Clay, a human. Sounds interesting, right? (I just love forbidden love!) Surprisingly I would have prefered her to end up with Caspian, her fellow Mer guy friend whom she grew up with.  The chemistry was there between them, it could have been sizzling great, instead she chose Clay and the relationship felt flat.

There is a certain decision Lia makes to help Clay. I don’t fault her for it, I mean she felt as if she had no other choice. Plus she’s a teenager, heck I may have done the same thing. But I didn’t like the feeling it gave me as a reader as she repeated it over & over throughout the story.

Last but not least I couldn’t connect with Lia. She’s a good person, tries making the right decision. I just couldn’t empathize with her whatsoever.  All in all this story could have been great, maybe told in Caspian’s POV it would have been pretty intriguing. Honestly I felt more for Clay & Caspian than for Lia, if only Clay & Caspian would have been the couple!

I would only recommend this to the younger YA crowd. I do believe I would have loved this had I been 11 to 13. I am rating this 2 stars since I loved the premise, just not the execution.