BOOK REVIEW: The Mermaid’s Mirror by L. K. Madigan

The Mermaid’s Mirror by L. K. Madigan

William C. Morris Award Winner

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Hardcover: $16

Rating: 5 out of 5

REVIEW:

This young adult novel, for grades 8 and up, is hauntingly beautiful and well told. I really felt like I was in the head and heart of a sixteen-year-old. Lena has always felt drawn to sea around her home just south of San Francisco despite her father’s fears, a former surfer. Strange things start happening, sleep walking at the beach, whispers of voices and dream. When she glimpses a beautiful woman with a tail on one of her sleep walks, Lena becomes obsessed and must learn to surf Magic’s Cove for the secrets hidden there.

Lena has to navigate her new boyfriend and best friend, all the while keeping the secret of wanting to surf from her father and step-mom.

Mermaid stories are a bit melancholy and this one is no different. I finished the book with some sadness and yearning and also happiness for Lena. I won’t say more!

I have to say that the cover and book are beautifully designed.

I recommend this book to young readers and young-at-heart readers and especially those who love mermaid stories.

And on a sad note, I knew the author was sick, and just found out (on the day I write this review) that she passed on Feb. 23, 2011. http://literaticat.blogspot.com/2011/02/very-sad-day.html

My condolences to her family and loved ones.

*****

Beth Barany reviews YA fantasy and paranormal novels for Fantasy-Faction.com, and writes about writing, publishing and book marketing at her blog, the Writer’s Fun Zone: http://www.writersfunone.com/blog. Her first YA fantasy, Henrietta The Dragon Slayer is out on the Kindle and the Nook and Smashwords.