The Twice Lost by Sarah Porter

Finally my mermaid trilogy has come to an end! At this point, I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry. While I fell in love with Luce (and Sarah Porter) during The Lost Voices, my annoyance with her only grew through Waking Storms and The Twice Lost. Her lyrical prose that drew me in was still there, but the delicate beauty the story had at first was soon replaced by blockbuster easy-to-predict action that kind of disappointed me. 

I just hate how every YA story must revolve around a guy (or two) and how the heroine is influenced by her feelings/weakness for him. I liked the way that Porter ended the series, but throughout the second and third book Dorian continuously pissed me off. DO YOU HONESTLY THINK ANY WOMAN IN HER RIGHT MIND WOULD GIVE UP A MERMAID TAIL SO SHE COULD FOLD SOME DUDE’S LAUNDRY FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE?? NO BITCH, I AM NOT GIVING UP MY AWESOMENESS FOR YOU!

I mean, some girls did end up choosing differently than Luce, but everyone had different reasons for that. I don’t think the reason should be a guy who may or may not love you. That’s just me.

I couldn’t help but feel like The Twice Lost would’ve made a better movie than a book.

*SPOILER ALERT*

Also, during the helicopter scene–when the mermaid were drying out and dying suspended midair–why couldn’t the mermaids who were NOT on “wave” duty start singing a wave to come up and cover the mermaid, or even knock the helicopter out of the sky?? It seemed like the obvious solution and it seemed dumb of Luce (or any of the others) not to think of it. 

I still love Sarah Porter and her mermaids, but I have to say I finished this book more out of anxiety than pleasure.

4 larvae of 5

Added bonus: Back in June when we went back to Florida to visit our families, I got the amazing opportunity to swim with one of Eric Ducharme’s tails! (He was featured awhile back on TLC on My Crazy Obsessions. Check out his site here.)

My New(ish) Tattoo!

I don’t know why the hell I forgot to post this back in April when I initially got it, but I am now the proud human canvas of a book nerd tattoo! It says, “I am the heroine of my own story.” It’s just a daily reminder that I’m the main character of my own life 🙂

 

 

Quote of the Day: Dolly Parton

“I’m not offended by dumb blonde jokes because I know that I’m not dumb. I also know I’m not blonde.”

-Dolly Parton

(Like my new haircut, guys?) 🙂

Quote of the Day: Jean Cocteau

“I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul.”

-Jean Cocteau

Waking Storms by Sarah Porter

Ok, picture it: You’re a mermaid. (Hopefully you’re a girl, because chest hair and scales just don’t go…) You’re swimming around being all mythical and hot, but you have problems. Apparently even mermaids can’t escape drama all the time. For Luce, her problems include being outcast from her tribe, an evil “queen”, a human lover, AND suspicious FBI agents. (Not to mention being an orphan and a former abuse victim. Which is how girls end up as mermaids, after all.)

PLUS there are killer whales that love to eat mermaids and icy terrible winters to contend with.

(For the record: If I were a mermaid I’d be in Bora Bora or Fiji. FORGET Alaska.)

In Sarah Porter’s second book in the Lost Voices Trilogy, Waking Storms, Luce has external struggles with her estranged tribe, her forbidden boyfriend, and the FBI. Her internal struggles (of course) lie in the gray area of doing what is easy versus doing what is right. (Been there, honey!) She must choose between her love for Dorian and the safety of the other mermaids. Her voice is becoming more and more powerful and Luce is beginning to realize that she must get past her selfish reluctance and lay claim to her right as queen for the betterment of all.

I really like Porter’s writing style in general and her use of prose really brings the story to life. She’s very descriptive and I can easily picture the scene taking place in my mind’s eye. She’s good at bringing a dark or emotional element to the forefront without overshadowing the characters or making the tone too depressing. The sea really comes to life under her skillful pen.

Plus, MERMAIDS ARE AWESOME. Duh.

However, as soon as the boyfriend and the FBI got involved, it killed me a little inside. I hated both of those energies throughout the novel. The FBI is annoying and horrible, as is the rest of the American government in all fiction anywhere ever. They’re always the bad guys that are nearly insurmountable in their power. Understood.

But Dorian? I HATED him. HATED. From the start.

Like, seriously, I get that you are a mermaid and you’re lonely and there are no mermen out there to satisfy your mermaid needs. (However that would work…?) No boys? It would totally suck. Especially for emotionally and/or physically abused young girls. All they want is a little love, I totally get it.

But at the risk of  your entire race being exposed and killed? Or trying to endure a tremendously agonizing transformation back to human form that is 99.99999% deadly? No thank you. I am sick of mermaids always giving up who they are to get the guy. Stay a mermaid, girl! There are only essays and bills and traffic and chores waiting for you out here!

When you read it yourself, you’ll realize why I screamed aloud in annoyance at some parts.

4 seashell bras of 5

Geektastic edited by Holly Black & Cecil Castellucci

Now, you might be thinking, Chelsea? A geek? A nerd? She’s tall and blonde and looks like everything geeks stand against.  

And you would be wrong.

I am a geek because I read everything I can get my hands on. I attend every Renaissance Festival I can, and have even been known to dress up on occasion. I own a mermaid tail that I actually swim in. I played World of Warcraft for three years straight (for the Horde!) and a small part of my heart will be forever dedicated to Tauren hunters. I can recite full passages from Harry Potter, gone to Platform 9 3/4, and visited HP World at Islands of Adventures.  And I have a Quidditch jersey and a Gryffindor scarf–even though Pottermore has sorted me into the Ravenclaw House. I have seen all the Star Wars AND all the Lord of the Rings–not to mention read all the way from The Hobbit to The Return of the King. I own a pair of vampire fangs and a set of elf ears. Thanks to my dear friends (who are very far away from me at the moment, but not forgotten) Wendy, Bret, Annie, Stephan, and Mike–I know the difference between chaotic neutral and chaotic good. (And thanks to Wendy especially, I know which qualities make a great Dungeon Master).

In short, I am a geek.

And proudly so.

Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd is definitely one of the more entertaining anthologies I’ve read in awhile. I’ve been busy touring around the Pip Pip Cheerio countryside, so it was nice to be able to pick up short stories and put them down just as quickly. I really liked that all types of geeks were represented within the stories. Trekkies, Hans Solo-Wannabes, Elvish Linguists, Gamer Geeks, Sci-Fi Nerds, Comic Book fans, Super Hero Worshippers, D&D Villians, Video Game Addicts, Old Horror Film Buffs and all their ilk. Basically all of my friends are well-represented.

As in all anthologies, there are some stories that are the cornerstones of the book, while the others sag a little in the middle. This is no exception to that rule, but still definitely worth it to those of us who can finish the phrase, “You remind me of the babe…”

3 of 5 mint-condition comics

Hello from England, my loves! <3

I just landed early this morning in London, and now I’m residing in my boyfriend’s oh-so-posh flat in Mildenhall. This building is almost 1100 years old! Isn’t that incredible?? The weather is beautiful today, and not a cloud in the sky. I can actually see a tea garden here from my window.

Just wanted you to know that I made it here safely and give you a small glimpse into my new world 🙂

Quote of the Day: John Milton

“The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.”

-John Milton

Quote of the Day: Maureen Lipman

“As for blondes having more fun, well, let me dispel that rumor forever. They do.”

-Maureen Lipman