Review: Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs

Tempest Rising (Tempest #1)

By Tracy Deebs

Published May 10th 2011

 Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers

Hardcover, 352 pages

Tempest Maguire wants nothing more than to surf the killer waves near her California home; continue her steady relationship with her boyfriend, Mark; and take care of her brothers and surfer dad. But Tempest is half mermaid, and as her seventeenth birthday approaches, she will have to decide whether to remain on land or give herself to the ocean like her mother. The pull of the water becomes as insistent as her attraction to Kai, a gorgeous surfer whose uncanny abilities hint at an otherworldly identity as well. And when Tempest does finally give in to the water's temptation and enters a fantastical underwater world, she finds that a larger destiny awaits her-and that the entire ocean's future hangs in the balance. --Goodreads

Review

The reason why I decided to read Tempest Rising, was that I hadn't read a mermaid book in a while, and I wanted more, mermaids are one of the less written about YA subjects, so I jumped at the chance to read this. Not only is it about mermaids, but it seems like it has a good plot. Let's begin.

I, personally, like Tempest. You can't help but feel sorry for her when you learn about everything she has on land, like her family, surfing, and a boyfriend, which she has to continually fight for in the pull between being mermaid and human. Also, instead of the average monster slaying heroine, Tempest actually feels guilty when she has to kill in self defense, feeling regret and remorse.  

With the love triangle it was hard to choose a side. I liked Mark, and how he loves and supports her, and truly thinks that she is the one. The best side of him though is how he see's through Tempest's lies and tries to talk to her, and really fights to keep her. On the other hand, there is Kona, who is totally right for Tempest in that he really understands and connects with her. He also has long, dark hair and mysterious eyes, and can make me totally forget about Mark. Sigh . . . 

The end of the book is ok . . . I mean it isn't one of those terrible-leave-you-hanging endings, but with this ending Tempest Rising could almost be just a solo book, and it doesn't quite need a sequel, but there are still somethings that I want to find out about. I liked the setting, first on the California beach, where the author really dives into Tempest's surfing life. The underwater aspect was also excellent, and I enjoyed how it wasn't only about mermaids, but other creature too.

I am highly looking forward to reading the sequel, and would recommend this to anyone who loves mermaids or is looking for an introduction to mermaid fiction. With an amazing setting and lovable characters, Tempest Rising is a fast paced watery ride through the life of someone with the difficult choice between the land and the sea. 

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