Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

Ratings Explanation

Language: Master Wickliff swears at a horse. No word is used in the book.

Violence: The local boys are mean to Adrianne–insults, teasing, struggles and threats to throw her into the sea. A mermaid tries to force Adrianne into the water to become a mermaid. She implants her magic into Adrianne’s arm through deep scratches on her forearm. Master Wickliff is cruel to the horses.

Sexual Content: Cora Lynn has “more goods in the shop window”.

Synopsis

Forbidden Sea is a fantasy/fairy tale story of Adrianne, a 14-year-old living an impoverished life. She lives with her timid mother, beautiful sister and cruel aunt as they eke out a meager existence after Adrianne’s father dies. One night while trying to save her younger sister from drowning, Adrianne comes face to face with a mermaid. A 100 year old island legend tells of a mermaid who chose a young maiden to marry the Sea Prince. At first Adrianne thinks the mermaid has come for her sister, but after the mermaid marks her arm, Adrianne realizes she has been chosen next. At first Adrianne is unwilling to leave her family, but after continually feeling the mermaid’s magic drawing her to the sea, she wonders if the whole island will be in danger if she refuses. Adrianne takes the chance to discover for herself the mermaid’s kingdom below the sea where she must decide to return to her family or become a princess forever.

If you like mermaid stories, then this is a great read for you. Part Cinderella and part The Little Mermaid, this author’s first published novel really captivates and entertains the audience. It is easy to imagine Adrianne’s world, as well as the undersea kingdom, because of the beautiful imagery created by what my daughter referred to as “really great adjectives.” However, there were a couple of things that seemed to detract from the story. Adrianne and her continual “down with me” attitude, as well as a forced and incomplete ending, were a few things I, as a reader, would have liked changed. The author has responded to others with similar views and has written a sequel to the story to answer a few more questions that the reader is left with. She has a blog windwaithemermaid.blogspot.com for those interested in “all things mermaid.”