The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K. Madigan

Title: The Mermaid's Mirror

Author: L.K. Madigan

Pages: 336

Published: available now by Houghton Miffin

ISBN: 9780547194912

Source: Netgalley

Description: Lena has lived her whole life near the beach — walking for miles up and down the shore and breathing the salty air, swimming in the cold water, and watching the surfers rule the waves — the problem is, she’s spent her whole life just watching.As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Lena vows she will no longer watch from the sand: she will learn to surf. But her father — a former surfer himself — refuses to allow her to take lessons. After his near drowning years ago, he can’t bear to let Lena take up the risky sport. Yet something keeps drawing Lena to the water . . . an ancient, powerful magic. And one morning Lena catches sight of this magic: a beautiful woman — with a silvery tail.  Now nothing can stop Lena from seeking the mermaid, not even the dangerous waves at Magic Crescent Cove.  And soon . . . what she sees in the mermaid’s mirror will change her life forever.

I Give This ...
 

This story had so much potential, but for me I just couldn't fully get into it.  I really wanted to like it.

I loved the ocean setting.  I enjoyed the fact that they lived within walking distance to the beach.  I loved how Lena was so drawn to the ocean.  You could really feel that in the story.    I liked how the mermaid's fit into the story.  The explanations for how people felt after they saw them was interesting.  I really liked Lena's father, especially after the truth comes out.  The story of Lena's mother and why he never goes in the ocean was really catching for me.  I also liked most of the other characters.

Which leads me to the biggest problem.  I didn't really like Lena.  She was so hard to identify with.  I really didn't like when she got mad at her dad for not telling her the truth.  For some reason, I just can't picture the right time to break that kind of news.  I also didn't really enjoy how she kept everyone at arm's length.  I also didn't really like the mermaid's.  I know they are suppose to be different creatures who don't necessarily think and act like we do, but they seemed so heartless.  Even Lena's mother didn't seem to be acting motherly.  

The biggest drawback for me was the ending.  I extremely disliked the ultimatum that Lena was given.  It seemed drastic and unnecessary.  I think the mermaid's and Lena could have learned from each other in way that wasn't harmful to either.  I do think many younger teens will enjoy this book though.  It just wasn't really for me.