I received an eARC from Candlewick Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks so much! This is a spoiler free review.
Emily Windsnap and the Falls of Forgotten Island
Written by Liz Kessler
Genre: Middle Grade/Fantasy
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Release Date: March 20, 2018
Pages: 320
Source: eArc provided to me from NetGalley and Candlewick Press
Places to Get this Book: Amazon Barnes and Noble Book Depository
Recommended Age: 11 and up!
Summary:
Emily is headed to a tropical island for a relaxing vacation with friends and family. And this time, Emily promises her best friend, Shona, there will be absolutely no adventure — just plenty of fun. But somehow excitement always seems to find Emily, and before she knows it, she ends up on the other side of a powerful waterfall on a forgotten island no one else can get to. Well, no one that isn't a half-mer like Emily and her boyfriend, Aaron. The people who live on the island believe in a prophecy that foretells how they can be saved from an imminent, devastating earthquake — and this prophecy seems to revolve around Emily and Aaron, as well as a mysterious, mythic giant. Will they be able to find the giant — and fulfill the prophecy — before it's too late?
Review:
The Emily Windsnap books were a huge part of my childhood and I still own all of mine so when I saw this on NetGalley, I immediately requested it and read it right when I was approved for it.
Emily is headed to a tropical island for a relaxing vacation with friends and family. And this time, Emily promises her best friend, Shona, there will be absolutely no adventure — just plenty of fun. But somehow excitement always seems to find Emily, and before she knows it, she ends up on the other side of a powerful waterfall on a forgotten island no one else can get to. Well, no one that isn't a half-mer like Emily and her boyfriend, Aaron. The people who live on the island believe in a prophecy that foretells how they can be saved from an imminent, devastating earthquake — and this prophecy seems to revolve around Emily and Aaron, as well as a mysterious, mythic giant. Will they be able to find the giant — and fulfill the prophecy — before it's too late?
Review:
The Emily Windsnap books were a huge part of my childhood and I still own all of mine so when I saw this on NetGalley, I immediately requested it and read it right when I was approved for it.
COVER
The Emily Windsnap book covers are some of the most beautiful Middle Grade covers. I love how they all feature Emily as a mermaid on the cover with beautiful scenery. This one is also green which is different as most of the previous covers have been blues, purples and pinks.
The Emily Windsnap book covers are some of the most beautiful Middle Grade covers. I love how they all feature Emily as a mermaid on the cover with beautiful scenery. This one is also green which is different as most of the previous covers have been blues, purples and pinks.
WORLD-BUILDING
We got to learn a lot about the people who live behind the falls but most of the other world-building had already been done in the previous books as this is the seventh book in the series.
We got to learn a lot about the people who live behind the falls but most of the other world-building had already been done in the previous books as this is the seventh book in the series.
Then there are the characters.
EMILY
Emily has always been my favorite character in these books. She deals with things a lot of other teenagers her age don't have to do. For one thing, her dad is a merman which sometimes makes her family a little strained due to him not being able to do everything that she and her mom can do. Emily is also a semi-mer which means she turns into a mermaid when she goes in the water. I loved Emily's bravery which was showcased a lot in this book but Liz Kessler also showcased her flaws because just like everyone else, she has her own flaws.
The other two main characters: Shona and Aaron are also very prominent in this book. Shona is Emily's best friend and is sick of being dragged into all of Emily's 'adventures' which causes a riff to open up between the two. Aaron is Emily's boyfriend and other best friend and he seems to support her throughout most of the book. We do get to see more of their personalities which is great.
Emily has always been my favorite character in these books. She deals with things a lot of other teenagers her age don't have to do. For one thing, her dad is a merman which sometimes makes her family a little strained due to him not being able to do everything that she and her mom can do. Emily is also a semi-mer which means she turns into a mermaid when she goes in the water. I loved Emily's bravery which was showcased a lot in this book but Liz Kessler also showcased her flaws because just like everyone else, she has her own flaws.
The other two main characters: Shona and Aaron are also very prominent in this book. Shona is Emily's best friend and is sick of being dragged into all of Emily's 'adventures' which causes a riff to open up between the two. Aaron is Emily's boyfriend and other best friend and he seems to support her throughout most of the book. We do get to see more of their personalities which is great.
FRIENDSHIP/FAMILY
Friendship and family are a huge part of these books. In this book, Emily has a hard time keeping her family and friends as a priority because adventure calls to her in the form of the falls. In the Emily Windsnap books, her friends are practically her family as they are always spending time together and they all know each other really well. I liked how Emily ultimately realized how important her family was to her.
Friendship and family are a huge part of these books. In this book, Emily has a hard time keeping her family and friends as a priority because adventure calls to her in the form of the falls. In the Emily Windsnap books, her friends are practically her family as they are always spending time together and they all know each other really well. I liked how Emily ultimately realized how important her family was to her.
PLOT
I thought the plot was very cute. Emily and her family and friends go on a vacation because they all need some downtime but this vacation turns into another adventure when Emily decides to investigate these beautiful falls that only appeared a year ago. This leads to a whole lot happening for Emily and her friends as they help save islands and the rest of the world from destruction.
I thought the plot was very cute. Emily and her family and friends go on a vacation because they all need some downtime but this vacation turns into another adventure when Emily decides to investigate these beautiful falls that only appeared a year ago. This leads to a whole lot happening for Emily and her friends as they help save islands and the rest of the world from destruction.
ROMANCE
As I mentioned before, Emily and Aaron are a couple by this book but there wasn't really too much romance as they act a lot more like best friends.
WRITING
The writing is typical of a Middle Grade. It is simple enough to understand but still contains complex thoughts and ideas.
As I mentioned before, Emily and Aaron are a couple by this book but there wasn't really too much romance as they act a lot more like best friends.
WRITING
The writing is typical of a Middle Grade. It is simple enough to understand but still contains complex thoughts and ideas.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As you can see, I really enjoyed this book. I loved continuing Emily's journey with the seventh book in the series which is just crazy! I really enjoyed the plot and seeing my favorite characters again. If you love Middle Grade, mermaids and adventures and haven't tried this series, then you have to because it is perfect for you.
Quotes from the Book:
As you can see, I really enjoyed this book. I loved continuing Emily's journey with the seventh book in the series which is just crazy! I really enjoyed the plot and seeing my favorite characters again. If you love Middle Grade, mermaids and adventures and haven't tried this series, then you have to because it is perfect for you.
Quotes from the Book:
None At this Time
My Rating: 4 out of 5 Crowns
