Title: Florence
Author: Ciye Cho
Publisher: Ciye Cho
Release Date: July 1, 2012
Source: eARC
Average Star Rating: 4.14
Summary (on Goodreads):
Seventeen-year-old Florence Waverley is out of her depth. Literally. Kidnapped and taken below the waves to the mer world of Niemela, she is the ultimate gift for merman Prince Kiren: a human familiar tied to his side. But nothing is what it seems amid the beauty and danger of a dark ocean.
Every Niemelan has a role to play, from the mermaids who weave towers out of kelp to the warriors who fight sea monsters. But in trying to survive, Florence will end up in the middle of a war between the mer and the Darkness. A conflict that will push her between two brothers: Kiren, the charmer inexplicably drawn to both her and the monsters; and Rolan, the loner who has been pushing her away since the day they met. But in order to take a stand--and find out where she belongs--Florence will have to risk it all: her life, her heart... and her very soul.
My Thoughts:
Oh my gosh! This book was so unexpected for me. I was pleasantly pleased with the entire book. I did not want to stop reading it. When Ciye Cho contacted me and had asked me if I could read his book in exchange for an honest review, I said sure, why not? When reading the description of Florence, I was a little hesitant to take the dive only because it's about mermaids and mermen and I really wasn't sure how I felt about that. I've never once read a mermaid book nor did I really ever find one that caught my eye. So, I decided I would give the merfolk a chance. And, boy, am I GLAD I did. It filled me with ecstasy and adventure and lots of beautiful descriptions.
The descriptions Ciye Cho has within his book Florence are remarkable without a doubt. As I was reading it, I could feel what Florence was feeling. Especially during her first few hours under the water and not understanding how she was breathing the water. It may be because I have anxiety towards deep water from drowning experiences, or the fact that I was reading it while my feet dangling from a pool. Whatever, the case, I could feel the anxiety Florence had at first and I loved that. I loved feeling like I was actually there.
From the second I met Florence, I knew I was going to like her. Call me bias, but I think it's because of the hair color she has. :] I have a soft spot for us redheads. Knowing how us redheads can be from my personal experience: shy at first, unique, and hot-tempered. Now, I'm not saying that Florence showed all of these traits exceptionally. She wasn't necessarily hot-tempered but she definitely wanted to get her way. And when it came to the Princes, she definitely got her way.
Speaking of the royal family. Total swoon for Rolan. I adored him. I loved him from the very first second I met him! He was rude with good intentions. I knew from the very beginning I was going to be on Team Rolan all the way! Princess Yolee has got to be one of my favorite characters ever. She's so lively and fun. She definitely was a great character for some relief and she brought an innocence and child-like quality that just left you warm inside. She is a wonderful character.
My Rating: 5 Stars!
You guys definitely need to go check Florence out! You won't be disappointed! Here are the links:
Have any of you read it? If so, let me know what you thought!
xo Stephanie
