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6th out of 69 books
—
5 voters
Forbidden Sea
by
Sheila A. Nielson (Goodreads Author)
A mermaid haunts Adrianne's dreams . . . is she coming to warn her, save her, or drag her down into the depths of the briny sea forever?
When Adrianne comes face-to-face with the mermaid of Windwaithe Island, of whom she has heard terrible stories all her life, she is convinced the mermaid means to take her younger sister. Adrianne, fierce-willed and courageous, is determin...more
When Adrianne comes face-to-face with the mermaid of Windwaithe Island, of whom she has heard terrible stories all her life, she is convinced the mermaid means to take her younger sister. Adrianne, fierce-willed and courageous, is determin...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
July 1st 2010
by Scholastic Press
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Aug 07, 2010
oliviasbooks
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
those who like Cinderella stories, fairy tale retellings or rather unfluffy mermaids
It's kind of a cross between Cinderella and The Little Mermaid - or, to be more precise, one of those fairytales dealing with a fisherman lured into the sea by a terrifyingly beautiful sea creature. Rather sad, but featuring a strong heroine and concluding on a satisfying note.
3.5 stars.
Later clarification on the sadness part:
The writing is good. I just do not feel well, when I am constantly pitying an almost angelic heroine - and screaming in frustration for her the rest of the time.
Adrianne's...more
3.5 stars.
Later clarification on the sadness part:
The writing is good. I just do not feel well, when I am constantly pitying an almost angelic heroine - and screaming in frustration for her the rest of the time.
Adrianne's...more
9 likes · like · see review
view all 14 comments
May 29, 2012
SJH (A Dream of Books)
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
young-adult,
mermaids
What an amazing book! Sheila A. Nielson has woven a beautifully imagined tale of magic and mermaids that is imaginative and wonderfully written. I read this in one evening and found it absolutely impossible to put down. I loved the central character Adrianne who is compassionate and empathetic and wholly unselfish. After the death of her father, she is left to look after her younger sister and mother. She is responsible for ensuring that they have food on the table, although there is little of t...more
Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com
When Adrienne's little sister, Cecily, goes missing, she goes down by the beach and finds her sister unconscious on a rock. While there, she sees a legendary mermaid, who has been known to pull humans into the sea. When the mermaid attempts to grab them, Adrienne and Cecily barely escape.
Adrienne, however, is scratched and is unconscious for three days. When she awakes, the townsfolk avoid her and distrust her and she begins having dreams where the mermaid...more
When Adrienne's little sister, Cecily, goes missing, she goes down by the beach and finds her sister unconscious on a rock. While there, she sees a legendary mermaid, who has been known to pull humans into the sea. When the mermaid attempts to grab them, Adrienne and Cecily barely escape.
Adrienne, however, is scratched and is unconscious for three days. When she awakes, the townsfolk avoid her and distrust her and she begins having dreams where the mermaid...more
This is a warm human story with enough suspense to grab you and hold you from the first page. The characters were so real to me, I couldn't put it down. There is no needless explanations in the beginning or long episodes of backtracking in time. The story stays in the moment and so does the reader. Children and adults will both love this book. I can't wait for the sequel.
7 likes · like · see review
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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This book is for sure one of my favorites. I love the way it was written, love the charcters, Cecily, Trey, Hannah and Denn even though he annoyed me to no end at first...but in the end I'm glad he recognized and admitted he was a fool...but especially Adrianne. I loved her character most of all, she had the biggest heart, so sweet and not a pushover or weak because she forgave her aunt for being a bitter, nasty old woman, or her mother for checking out when she should have been there for Adrian...more
Adrianne is left to take care of her family when her father dies,and her mother becomes sick.Being the only girl to have learned how to read she was left with the task..She didn't need to worry about such things before and ends up still paying the servents with out knowing where the money came from.When she uses all of her fathers wealth,her family has to leave there cottage and find another place to live.
Adrianne must fight to protect her sister Cecily when a mermaid comes for her.But soon it b...more
Adrianne must fight to protect her sister Cecily when a mermaid comes for her.But soon it b...more
I really enjoyed reading this book. One of the biggest reasons I liked this book is even though the girl is more of a tomboy, there is a very good reason behind it instead of just the author wanting to write a period piece but not wanting to write true characters from that period.
3 likes · like · see review
If you want to know the storyline of this book, read the synopsis, because I don't get the reason why everyone writes summaries for the story in their reviews when it's already provided. If you want to know what my thoughts were after finishing this, continue reading.
I was very interested in the love connection between the two characters in this book. I really liked this book a lot, and I would recommend this to anyone who likes the Cinderella Stories [movie] or any suckers who like a good fair...more
I was very interested in the love connection between the two characters in this book. I really liked this book a lot, and I would recommend this to anyone who likes the Cinderella Stories [movie] or any suckers who like a good fair...more
1 like · like · see review
Looking at the cover, I thought this was going to be one of those stupid cheesy mermaid books. Boy was I wrong. Honestly, I was really glad that most of the action was on land because I thought that was the story that needed to be told. I was really frustrated when I thought she might make "the choice" which bugs me to no end because I always think its the wrong one.
At the beginning, I was pleasantly surprised at how good the book was, but I thought the most I would give it was a four. Two word...more
At the beginning, I was pleasantly surprised at how good the book was, but I thought the most I would give it was a four. Two word...more
"Men are fools. They see only with their eyes, and are blinded to the truest treasures that stand before them dressed in the ordinary dust and sweat of hard life... The men and women of this island should beware, for they are pitiful creatures indeed when true greatness can be hidden from them by mere dirt and rags."
"The whale let out a haunting cry that reverberated through my whole being. The song was so beautiful, I ached inside with its infinite sadness. Mourning for dreams which had never c...more
"The whale let out a haunting cry that reverberated through my whole being. The song was so beautiful, I ached inside with its infinite sadness. Mourning for dreams which had never c...more
Rating: 3.5/5
I had this book since I finished reading The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova. I was curious about other mermaid books. I had other books that I wanted to read and ARCs that need reading so I kept pushing this one back each time. I regret that I did and maybe then I wouldn't be so frustrated by the slew of "not for me" books. Unlike the other mentioned mermaid book, The Forbidden Sea lingers more upon folk-lore. Not fairy tale as fairy tales are generic with happy endings. Folk lore...more
I had this book since I finished reading The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova. I was curious about other mermaid books. I had other books that I wanted to read and ARCs that need reading so I kept pushing this one back each time. I regret that I did and maybe then I wouldn't be so frustrated by the slew of "not for me" books. Unlike the other mentioned mermaid book, The Forbidden Sea lingers more upon folk-lore. Not fairy tale as fairy tales are generic with happy endings. Folk lore...more
My Review:
This book introduces a fourteen year old girl named Adrianne. The book begins one stormy night, with Adrianne searching along the coast for her younger sister Cecily, who has gone missing. She finds Cecily unconscious on a rock and is terrified when she encounters a mermaid who tries to drag them both down into the sea. It might be the legendary mermaid that she’s heard stories about all her life. Adrianne is able to rescue her sister, but continues to be haunted by the events of that...more
This book introduces a fourteen year old girl named Adrianne. The book begins one stormy night, with Adrianne searching along the coast for her younger sister Cecily, who has gone missing. She finds Cecily unconscious on a rock and is terrified when she encounters a mermaid who tries to drag them both down into the sea. It might be the legendary mermaid that she’s heard stories about all her life. Adrianne is able to rescue her sister, but continues to be haunted by the events of that...more
I came across this book while doing reading for the Beehive Book Awards. The premise didn't appeal to me much, I am not a big fan of mermaids. But Adrianne has such a strong voice and I found myself rooting for her from page one. It quickly becomes apparent that Adri is the strong one in her family of four. Her younger sister is adorable but unequipped to take care of herself. Adri's mother is likewise too weak of spirit to even defend her daughter from the malicious attacks of her aunt. Her aun...more
This is the first mermaid book I've ever read. That's not to say that it focuses mainly on mermaids and life underwater. Nielson has written a finely crafted story about a girl who doesn't want to be a mermaid. And that has to be the best introduction to the mermaid genre for me.
The main character, Adrianne is a good role model* in all aspects. She comes from a humble background, and she works back breakingly to support her family, unappreciated, while nursing a crush on her long time friend Den...more
The main character, Adrianne is a good role model* in all aspects. She comes from a humble background, and she works back breakingly to support her family, unappreciated, while nursing a crush on her long time friend Den...more
This book is amazing! It catches your attention right away. I would recommend this book. The Forbidden Sea is about a girl named Adrianne. Her little sister runs away one day and goes to the rumbles which are really just rocks right next to the sea. her sister doesn't know how to swim and the tide starts coming in. The whole island is looking for her. Adrianne decides to go to see if she is at the rumbles. When she gets there she sees a faint shape of her little sister on one of the big rocks. S...more
This book has many things that make it quite special. The character development throughout it, is exquisite! I knew exactly what Adrianne, the main character felt like and I knew what was going on the whole time. It did take me a bit to figure out that it is set in either the early 1800's, the late 1800's or in the early 1900's. It takes place at Windwaithe, a small fishing town, where the people are more than superstitious. With tales of mermaids and mermen awaiting for prey in the vast ocean,...more
A good, clean book any YA reader would enjoy.
Adrianne is thrust into the role of provider for her family after her father is killed in an accident. She lives on a small island with small-minded people, including her own aunt. The seemingly only tolerant people are the rich.
Everything bad happens to Adri and only gets worse. I felt myself getting it more and more frustrated for her. She takes everything in quiet determination.
Except for the mermaid who wants to drown her and her sister. She's fi...more
Adrianne is thrust into the role of provider for her family after her father is killed in an accident. She lives on a small island with small-minded people, including her own aunt. The seemingly only tolerant people are the rich.
Everything bad happens to Adri and only gets worse. I felt myself getting it more and more frustrated for her. She takes everything in quiet determination.
Except for the mermaid who wants to drown her and her sister. She's fi...more
First of all, I did like this book. The writing was good. I cared about the characters and wanted them to be happy.
That said, 4/5 of the book takes place on the island--and island life is pretty boring, it seems. From the cover, I expected the book to be about mermaids, and it was--the last 1/5. I wish the other part had gotten going faster and not been so much "land" life.
Another gripe was that sometimes protagonists in books seem to have truly rotten lives--so rotten, in fact, that there seem...more
That said, 4/5 of the book takes place on the island--and island life is pretty boring, it seems. From the cover, I expected the book to be about mermaids, and it was--the last 1/5. I wish the other part had gotten going faster and not been so much "land" life.
Another gripe was that sometimes protagonists in books seem to have truly rotten lives--so rotten, in fact, that there seem...more
After the first nail-biting chapter, I knew this was not going to be one of those books I would have to feign praise for. The writing is beautiful, original and I instantly related to the main character--Adrianne.
When Adrianne's father is killed in a riding accident, her mother spends months listless on her bed, leaving Adrianne to care for the household. At 12 years old, she was forced into early adulthood when the money ran out and she and her mother and sister became destitute. Once pretty, a...more
When Adrianne's father is killed in a riding accident, her mother spends months listless on her bed, leaving Adrianne to care for the household. At 12 years old, she was forced into early adulthood when the money ran out and she and her mother and sister became destitute. Once pretty, a...more
My thoughts...One of the biggest things I look for when reading a book is a strong heroine. Adrianne, the young girl from The Forbidden Sea is just that. She is very strong willed, smart, determined, and very devoted to her family. I instantly felt sympathetic for this girl who lost her father in a tragic accident. She finds herself living in poverty with her mother, sister, and an aunt that treats her very disdainfully. She has an inner strength that helps her deal with some very difficult peop...more
Loved this book, it is a must read. Grabs your attention on the first page and you can't put it down.Sheila knows what a great book is all about and knows how to write them. She knows what the young readers like and so she put her soul and heart out there to grab there attention in a way a lot of writers don't know how to do. You will love this book and can't wait for more of hers to come out. I would recommend this book for all ages. Great job Sheila! Love ya tons!
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Right from the start, first time author Sheila A. Nielson weaves a beautiful story about a girl and her family whose fortunes have changed and they are struggling on a daily basis to survive. The characters are exceptionally well drawn beginning with Adrianne, who stops at nothing to help her family (and others) obtain food and happiness. After her father's death, Adrianne is left with a beloved little sister (reminiscent of Prim in The Hunger Games), a loving yet meek mother, and a horrible aun...more
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This book is one of those books you start reading and you cant put down. Its about this girl named Adrianne. She was part of a family that was once rich. Then her father died and everything changed. She became so poor that her aunt had to come move in with the famy and help with money issues. Just one problem, her aunt hates her. So she becomes sad and depressed everyday. Her hair is cut short so none of the boys found her attractive. A group of boys actually throws her in the ocean everyday whe...more
When I first read this book the suspense was slow and boring, but i kept reading it anyway, because I personally dislike stopping at the middle of a book. I really didn't think it was a romance book because the passage or summary i read behind the book sounded like a adventure and mysterious book. I was completely wrong! It's basically about romance. the story is about a girl named Adrianne, in the beginning her little sister Cicily was missing during the storm. Adrianne went out to find her. Th...more
I love reading this book it's so interesting i can't wait to finish it!!!!!!!
i love this book with all my heart and soul!!! the story sucks you in and makes you just want to keep reading. all in all spectacular ^.^
Feb 10, 2011
Jennifer
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
tween & young adult readers
Shelves:
girls-pre-reads
It is refreshing to read a coming-of-age book that doesn't focus on a boy-crazy main character.
Adrianne is a young girl who has lost everything with the loss of her father in a tragic, fatal accident. Since her father's death, she has done everything she can to keep her family together - despite an aunt that treats her horribly and tells her that she will never amount to anything.
She has an encounter with a mermaid on a night when her little sister ran away that leaves her with long scars going...more
Adrianne is a young girl who has lost everything with the loss of her father in a tragic, fatal accident. Since her father's death, she has done everything she can to keep her family together - despite an aunt that treats her horribly and tells her that she will never amount to anything.
She has an encounter with a mermaid on a night when her little sister ran away that leaves her with long scars going...more
Very sweet and romantic. Definitely has a little bit of a Cinderella twist to it. The main character, Adrianne, lives a very difficult life. Some of the situations she gets into torn my heart in half! The author does a great job of creating emotions in the reader. I hope Sheila A. Nielson writes more books in the future, because I will definitely read them!
1 like · like · see review
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In addition to writing books, Sheila A. Nielson has also worked as a children's librarian for over fifteen years. She also has a BFA in children's illustration.
More about Sheila A. Nielson...
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