DNF at around 80 pages.I'm having trouble taking this review seriously. Because why should I? What reason has Mayall given me to take this ridiculous book seriously? She clearly put no effort into writing something realistic, and its entertainment value only lasts as long as you're willing to laugh at it. For me, that turns out not to be very long - I only have so much time, and I can't waste it on something like this.Here's the problem: this does not read like a YA book. Not even close. This is a YA book in the same way that the Dork Diaries series is a YA book, for the most part. This reads like a MG book with occasional curses and references to sex. Everything about Amy, our protagonist, screams twelve years-old, despite the fact that she's meant to be sixteen. Her thoughts, her actions, her voice, none of it read like a teenager. I can't imagine any high school student saying something like this:In the bathroom, I took a long shower, shaved my legs, washed my hair. Washed yesterday off me. Today was a new day, one that I'd hope fully be spending with Dylan.How can you read that and not roll your eyes at how cheesy it is? Amy could've been a well-developed character, but she read so young that it fell short. The writing didn't work for the same reason - Amy's voice just isn't believable for someone her age. Not only that, but there was quite a bit of awkwardness. I can tell that it wasn't edited very thoroughly, because there were quite a few blatant errors. In particular, run-on sentences were a problem, like this one:I had been planning to ask [my mom] if [the beach] looked much different than when she used to come here every summer, where I pictured her golden tan in a white bathing suit, swimming strongly in the ocean.The plot was mostly what you'd expect from this kind of thing, which is to say, silly. Most of the events concerned Dylan, our obligatory bland cute guy that we're supposed to absolutely adore, despite the fact that he doesn't have, y'know, characteristics. It couldn't have been more stupid if Mayall had tried.This is probably my shortest review in a very long time, simply because there's nothing to say about this book. It's just another bland MG girl book - while it's certainly bad, it's not bad in a unique way. If you're into this kind of thing, I guess this isn't quite as bad as things could be. But if you don't already like MG girl books, this won't be an exception.
It was a good and light read. This is a book one should read when you just want to relax or chill. The plot is not as complicated as I expected it to be. I think I was just deceived by the title and the description. It is one of those books that will make you think of a different plot then you'll learn it isn't what you are expecting.To tell you honestly, I was expecting a fantasy fiction about mermaids. Well, it was not exactly the case. I thought there will be magic involve or secrets to be revealed but it was not. Well there was one, but it was not that really nerve-racking as I imagined it to be. It was a good book, don't get me wrong. I think I just had high expectations.Anyhow, off to the good points. I love the guts the protagonist has. She was really feisty and at the same time awkward. She's really shy and not that confident, but she is firm on what she believes in and she stands for what she thinks is right. I love how she speaks her mind and being talented at the same time. Maybe I saw the younger version of me in her that is why I was sort of fond of her even if she was also that stubborn in making decisions. I also love how realistic the story was and it still has room for some creativity and imagination for the readers.Another is that I love the little romantic element on the side. I find the events really subtle and sweet which made me giddy to read more about the relationship's progress being molded in the story.
What do You think about Mermaid Park (2005)?
Amy isn't looking forward to a three day beach vacation with her family. They'll stay at a motel owned by Lynne, her mother's godmother. She and her step-dad Tom bicker constantly. He is a bully, but Amy never misses a chance to stand up to him. Amy's sister's way of coping is to charm him, while her mother is good at ignoring conflict.The vacation is as miserable as Amy expects it to be, but she loves the beach. She also meets someone at the pool who loves swimming as much as she does. So, Amy jumps at an opportunity to stay with Lynne for the summer and work. Lynne is good natured and easy going. Her only rule is that Amy stay away from the northern part of town. It should've been an easy rule to follow, but Amy sees an advertisement for Mermaid Park and she can't resist finding out more about it. The Mermaid Park underwater shows take place in a thirty foot deep tank and these underwater ballets are the most beautiful thing Amy has ever seen. She wants to be a mermaid. A champion varsity swimmer at school, she is sure she can learn the routines. Amy can't see any reason for Lynne's rule, so she applies for a job at the park.Amy is a difficult teenager who uses sarcasm and aggressiveness to hide her self doubt. Before summer is over and her deception is discovered, Amy learns things about herself that she never could have imagined. Mermaid Park is a good read. The mystery is not that difficult to solve, but Amy's quest for maturity is well done, with a little summer romance thrown in.
—Lyn
Sixteen year old Amy finally catches a lucky break when she gets to spend the summer on the Jersey Shore with her mom's godmother who owns a seaside motel. That's when her road to self discovery and adventures begin. Amy is just your run-of-the-mill teenager who is far from Miss Popular at her high school. She has a brat for a younger sister, a nagging mother and a difficult new step-dad who is constantly bullying her. Thrilled to get away from it all, she busies herself searching for work. She stumbles across Mermaid Park which is an underwater display headlining teenaged girls in breathtaking mermaid costumes. Being a champion swimmer herself, Amy is immediately drawn and stops at nothing to become one of the "mermaids". As she tries to weasel her way into the show and squash her fear of the 36-foot deep tank, she discovers romance, inner strength and unearths secrets about her family which were covered up for years. Readers will identify with Amy's battle to become more self confident and find it a truly pleasing summer read. This coming of age story is one not to be missed!
—Jaime
The whole book was so pretty and interesting. But I was so disappointed with the ending. It was so incomplete and—just hanging there that it was such a let down. I wish her mom would've ditched Tom. I know that it would've been a cliché but wouldn't it have been perfect? And I wish there was an epilogue where we could have seen Bruce's reaction. And Mel's book escapist tendencies were never addressed. This would've been a solid 4 star if only the ending was good enough.But the rest of it was brilliant! I honestly thought there were going to be real mermaids but this was so much better and so much more magical.
—Zunaira Ghazal
