Review: Florence

Florence
by Ciye Cho
ebook
336 pages
Published July 1st 2012

Summary from 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.

Thoughts:
I think I've read quite a number of books about mermaids and merman this year but this is the first book that have a human as the main character. Florence is just your usual high school loner when she was inexplicably kidnapped during a school trip to the beach.

Confused and alone, she found herself torn between two brothers. Kiren who took a liking for her from the start and Rolan who seemed to despised her and is hell bent to get rid of her. From earlier on the mer-folk has shown their hatred towards humans but luckily for Florence, Princess Yolee decided to keep Florence as her guest/pet.

The book is certainly a light and entertaining read. And the author has created a wonderful underwater world that seems surreal and beautiful at the same time. I found myself drawn to Princess Yolee more than the two royal brothers or even Florence. Florence just seems a little bit bland for me and it is just strange that she can just disappear into the ocean without anyone looking for her. I'm constantly wondering where the hell are her family or friends.

Despite this issue, the conflict and adventures that Florence experience in the Niemela kingdom is quite an engaging read. And I'm quite satisfied with whom she ended up with although the ending left the book open for more continuation.

Verdict: 4 stars.
In my Self Published Reading Challenge 
Available on: Amazon