Firstly, I have to say that I loved this book, plain and simple. I downloaded it on a whim while perusing on Amazon and I couldn't be any more grateful to impulse-buying Jasmine. The characters are well-developed, the world a wonderful mix of our reality and the great mythos that Raveling has created with Ondines, Selkies, and humans, and the plot well paced and interesting. I remember finishing it late at night and being so sad that the sequel was planned for far in the future. The things that stood out to me while reading Whirl were the characters and the world building. Kendra is a sometimes frustrating, often reckless, always entertaining character. Fueled by young and naive ideas of revenge and strength, you worry for her in the beginning before you realize you are rooting for her in the end. Her stubbornness sometimes had be growling in frustration but her feisty character and (albeit a little slowly) growing maturity is creates a character with which I fell in love. Her growth in the novel, and throughout the series, is exceptional and pleasure to read. And Tristan... phew. Tristan is a wonderful counterpart to Kendra and a swoon worthy character on his own. Calm, collected, and lethal, Tristan is a Selkie warrior and attempts to help Kendra whenever he can (even when she doesn't realize she needs it). Their chemistry is out of this world. Both Kendra and her relationship with Tristan (platonic or otherwise - NO SPOILERS!) reminded me a lot of Rose and Dimitri from Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy and Alex and Aiden from Jennifer L. Armentrout's Covenant series, but the thing that makes Kendra and Tristan so great is also how they interact with their spectacularly built world. Kendra's revealed role in the future of this world and Tristan's established (although unwanted) position of leadership put them in prime position to attempt to tackle the obstacles they, and the readers, know are ahead. Raveling has created a magical world within the one we all know and love, filled with lore about magically gifted Ondines, warrior demillirs, mysterious and shape-shifting Selkies, and other, more powerful and mystical characters. Both the Ondines and the Selkies have their own societies within this hidden world that are a wonder to discover. The world building is deep and believable and only supports her strong characters to make an amazing story. Amazing main characters, great world building, along with well-developed secondary characters and hints at an overarching, high-stakes prophecy creates a story that will leave readers begging for more (and lucky for you, the next two books, Billow and Crest, are already out!). This book was very much so like vampire academy. It didn't bother me too much it was just wasn't exciting or original to me. What bothered me the most was the writing style. It was a little too weak for me. I think if you're an avid or advanced reader this book is kind of boring and disappointing as it was for me. But if you're younger or don't care about the writing strength then you can give it a shot. Honestly I took nothing away from this book and I didn't really feel much through out.
What do You think about Whirl (2011)?
LOve!!
—cstart
Love this girl's attitude. Love the story and prophecy. Just a great story over all.
—maya
