A kingdom on the brink of war. A king on the fringes of insanity.A family running for their lives.Ash and Fin’s only desire is to be together and dive into their happily ever after, though their conflicting worlds work to pull them apart. Neither is ready to convert to the other’s become a human or a mer. Little do they know that somewhere in Natatoria a secret holds the fine fabric of everyone’s lives together. If the truth is discovered, Ash and Fin will no longer have the luxury of waiting. They’ll be forced to choose. But will it be for loyalty or love? Or will someone else make the choice for them if they can’t decide?Enter the watery world of treachery, greed, and the binding mer kiss as the story continues with Evergreen, book two of Mer Tales.
Brenda Pandos lives in California with her husband and two boys. She attempts to balance her busy life filled with writing, being a mother and wife, and spending time with friends and family.
this was amazing... this story jut makes u want to go out looking for merpeople.. I just love all the twist and turns this book took.. I could not put it down.. another great book by Brenda Pandos.. sit back and enjoy getting lost in the pages..
I've read Everblue, the first book in the series quite a long time ago and remembered really enjoying it. I finally decided to buy Evergreen for my Kindle and I picked it up last month because I was on holiday and I only had one physical book with me that I finished in the train before arriving (yay me! I thought I would buy books there but had no time to do shopping)
In the end, I was quite disappointed by this book. I think the thing I really liked about Everblue was Natatoria, the mermaid's world, but most of this book takes place on earth and not in the ocean so it was a disappointment for me. I also really did no like Ash, I've just re-read my review of the first book where I said I liked her... (but it was in 2015 so I've changed a lot since then).
Anyway, it was not bad but I could not stay focused and was easily distracted. The characters were a bit annoying and I was not a huge fan of the Manichaeism, it was way too pronounced in my opinion.
I still recommend this book to younger reader because I think it could work better for them!
This book wasn't really great. The story was unique (I guess), but I didn't really enjoy it.
I have one question: was this book even proofread before it was published? Ashlyn is going to college, not 'collage.' Also, 'dossal' doesn't equal 'docile' (they're not even REMOTELY the same thing), 'aloud' doesn't equal 'allowed.' Please check your homonyms before you get a book published. As an avid reader, I find these errors incredibly annoying.
And the names of the royal mermaids. It's pretty obvious that Galadriel and Azor were taken from other literature (LOTR and A Song of Ice and Fire, respectively). You can still come up with cool names without copying them from popular literature.
EDIT 5/22/16: Since people kept complaining about how I found 'ginger girl' offensive, I've removed it. Beats me why people are commenting on a review I made four years ago.....
While I enjoyed this one, I think I liked the first book a little more. This book picks up where the last book ended. Fin and Ash are separated. Fin is on the run with his parents and Ash is attempting to live her normal high school life. They have to deal with their separation with minimal contact. I got a little frustrated with all the secrets. I mean, if you’re supposed to be so in love shouldn’t you trust your partner with anything? I guess it’s just to add some tension, but it did bother me.
I kind of thought the middle started to drag; with them being apart and having to deal with distractions. I thought it was well written and kept me interested, but the middle felt pretty uneventful. With about 80% left it started to get more exciting and there were some fun twists I didn’t see coming. I think it kind of suffered from Middle Book Syndrome, not a lot happening until the end when there is a bunch of stuff that leaves you wanting to read the next book. I still really like the characters and story and will read Everlost when it comes out next February.
Content: Clean, a bit of swearing and some violence.
Mer Tales Reading Order: Book One: Everblue Book Two: Evergreen Book Three: Everlost
Whats with all these mermaid books coming out in July??I CANT wait till then!!!!I know ill be busy for the whole month of July!!My summer break is just going to be filled with books!!YAY!!!
Evergreen is the second book in Brenda Pandos' fabulous and gorgeously imagined Mer Tales. I absolutely adored the first book, Everblue, and was literally counting the days to the release of Evergreen. Brenda Pandos' mermaids and mermen are truly extraordinary and insanely fun to read about. I knew I would love Evergreen just as much as I loved Everblue. I knew this book would be a huge treat. And I knew I would stay up all night reading it, desperate to soak up every delicious detail of Pandos' careful and magical world building. And yet I was still totally blown away when I finally sat down to read it. This book proved to be even better than the first one, even more action packed, exciting, swoon-worthy, dramatic, and addictive! Brenda Pandos made an even bigger splash with this excellent new addition to the series, and boy, did I love it!
Evergreen picks up exactly where Everblue left off. Bound together by a powerful mer kiss, Fin and Ash are now forced to endure a long time separation while Fin and his family are on the run for their lives, trying desperately to figure out a way to free Fin's sister, Tatchi. They know that one day they will need to decide which one of them will convert to the other's life, what they don't know is just how soon that moment will come. The rotten, treacherous underwater Kingdom of Natatoria holds many more dark secrets then anyone ever expected. Secrets that will put Fin and Ash's relationship -- and possibly their lives -- in great danger!
I said that before and I will say it again: Brenda Pandos world-and-character building skills are extraordinary. There are so many fun little details to the story, so many exciting plot developments, vibrant new characters, moments of absolute heartbreak and longing, amusing dialogues and blood-pressure-rising situations that this book is virtually impossible to put down mid-way. The narrative flow - alternating points of view between Fin and Ash - is so effortless and magnetic, you just can't bring yourself to pause. Whenever the story gets too emotionally intense or too serious, Brenda throws in a humorous back-and-forth between the characters, a hilarious situation, or a clever mermaid joke, and the tension instantly deflates, just so she can build it back up again few pages later! It's a wild roller coaster ride, and you'll need to hold on tight to your seats!
Evergreen is even more action packed than Everblue. More is happening -- Fin has some serious problems to deal with, and Ash's life is not drama-free either -- and it seems that something evil is lurking around every corner. At the same time Brenda expands the fictional world -- introducing us to some wicked new characters -- and we get a way better understanding of the mer world, complete with the kingdom's politics and customs. We learn more about the magical bond created by mer kiss, as well as about what happens when a merman loses his fin. The plot is thick with secrets, lies, and longing. There's a feeling of urgency to the story, of time that is running out, of uncertainty about the future. Like I said, it's a pretty intense ride, but also one that is perfectly balanced and very enjoyable.
As much as I loved Fin and Ash, I must say that two characters that really stood out for me were Galadriel and Collin. Both of them have very strong, vibrant, interesting personalities and there's more to them than meets the eye. Galadriel is a character that one loves to hate, though at the same time there is something very intriguing about her, a certain dark and dangerous aura that surrounds her, and maybe just a tiny bit cuckoo-crazy to complete the picture. She's strong-willed, bold, sassy, fierce, and often mean and ruthless. I was utterly fascinated by her wild personality! Collin, while trying to appear all manly, irresistible and unbeatable, was in fact quite adorable, especially in his interactions with Ash. I laughed so hard at his failed attempts to enchant Ash with his singing!
I had so much fun reading Evergreen, it was a sweet, seductive, adventurous and enchanting novel. A wonderful addition to the series that once again leaves me counting the days to the release of the next book. If mermaid stories tickle your fancy, Brenda Bandos' Mer Tales are the books to go with!
Oh Evergreen, you know how to win a girl over. I am not sure where to begin on how wonderful this sequel was. Evergreen in no way, shape or form came close too having the sequel syndrome. This sequel was its on entity and passed with flying colors. Before you continue reading my review, I ask that if you have not read Everblue, to please head to amazon or BN.com and download it on your ereader. We are talking only $0.99 on Amazon right now. You will not regret starting this series. There are a few Mermaid stories out and about and this happens to be my favorite by far. You know from my past reviews that when I beg you to read the book or series, its FANTASTIC!!! I don't give out my 5 trees to just anyone, these are books that will stay on my shelves for a long time and even get re-read at some point. Why? because the story is so wonderful, that I know in a few years or sooner, I'll want to revisit with Ash and Fin in their journey.
Brenda writes with such vivid details, you feel a part of the story from the beginning. They jump, you jump, they kiss, you blush. Its such an awarding moment when us the reader pick up a book and dive in and immediately we are capture by what is written on the pages in front of us. That's talent folks. Not everyone that writes or has publish a book has that kind of talent. Its just pure bliss I tell ya.
Evergreen starts where Everblue ended last year. We are once again immersed in Ash and Fin's relationship. Of course if you did read Everblue, you know that their journey has separated them now. The lovebirds have had to split up by creating distance, Fin is traveling across the country with his family and Ash has stayed behind just counting the days till she can be standing in front of Fin again. Every minute they are apart because of their bond is just torture. They need each other like we need oxygen to breathe. They know that this separation is needed because Fin and his family need to figure out how to rescue his sister Tatchi. While Ash must act like nothing is different while she is home and especially around her neighbors that have taken residence in Fin's home. Ash can't let them figure out about their bond and where they are headed. How does a girl handle all this happening to her. Even worse Ash and Fin only are able to communicate for a short period of time on cell phones just before he hits the water ever day and she has gotten home from school. So much begins to take place and change for both of them, they know also they have a big decision coming up soon. Who will have to make the biggest sacrifice they will ever make in their lives, so that they can stay together as one. Will Ash turn Mermaid or will Fin give up everything and become human. Problem is that when you have a few issues to work out, you get dumped a world of more problems. Ash and Fin will have to work hard to try and figure out their lives and the secrets that Fin's underwater world springs on them. Certain events take place that will leave you holding your breath and others will melt your heart. Will Ash and Fin's love be strong to over come everything that will be thrown into their laps or should I say scales?
Evergreen will keep you roused up from the moment you jump in. You will not want to put the book down. I know I didn't. Evergreen exceeded more than what I was expecting. Like I said earlier Brenda's world and character building is amazing. I enjoy how she splits the point of views between Ash and Fin. The new characters introduced quickly become favorites just like the returning favorites. She just didn't get a single part wrong. Well maybe one, the fact that now I have to wait for the third book in the series. I have the same deep bond that Ash and Fin have for one another for this series.
Its simple, if you like action, humor, romance, thrills, vivid details and memorable characters then Evergreen and Everblue are for you. Evergreen will be one of you favorite reads of 2012 once you read it. Mermaids are the new vampires.
There MUST be some sort of "Mer Mojo" in this book because once I opened it, the covers of my Kindle were glued to my hands. I had promised myself that I would take it one chapter at a time but that went by the boards quickly and I wanted to send my wife over to her mother's for the week-end so I could read this in one marathon sitting. No food. No naps. The only time I'd stop would be for bathroom calls. Fortunately, none of that happened . . . for the most part. I don't know HOW Brenda Pandos does it but she does it very, very well and the reader would be well advised to strap themselves in and prepare for the ride of their life.
Consistency - in anything - is difficult and as is often the case, the second book in a series is not quite as good as the first. The reader need not worry about this happening with Evergreen; This book is just as good as the first but for different reasons. In Everblue, there is the requisite exposition by way of introducing characters and world-building wrapped up in a very compelling story. Evergreen allows Brenda Pandos to take what she created in the first book and give it all a good workout where assumptions are tossed into the proverbial cocked hat and quite a bit of what you thought you knew turns out to be wrong to one degree or another. This is what helps to make the second book in the Mer Tales series a success.
Then, there are the two main characters; Ashley Lanski and Finley Helton, a.k.a. Ash & Fin. Ash is a young woman of seventeen years and a member of her school's swim team. Fin is a Mer-boy and used to live with his parents next door to Ash. Together, they are promised to each other; a bit of Mer magic that binds the hearts and souls of two people from the moment of their very first kiss. Forever after, any significant separation can be gut-wrenching and emotionally trying, especially in the early part of their new relationship. Mononucleosis is a breeze compared to this.
Fin and his parents are on the run from the decidedly unsavoury elements of their politically deteriorating Kingdom known as Natatoria. Their destination is Boca Raton, Florida - the home of Florida Atlantic University - where Ash plans to attend school on a swimming scholarship. Ash is looking forward to a possible trip to the Olympics and a quiet college career on the FAU swim team where the most excitement will probably come from a bit of sub-aquatic snogging with Fin. As the story progresses, that becomes less and less likely. Ash will learn that sometimes, choices we thought we had are made for us and, most poignantly, that there is no going back from some things & gains are often accompanied by losses. Fin will learn that he doesn't have quite as many options as he believed and that talking on the phone with Ash for too long can be hazardous to his health.
Evergreen is a YA-friendly book with enough thrills and excitement to keep older readers enthralled as well the young. Brenda Pandos teaches her YA readers about overcoming fear, enduring love, fidelity and hope. I cannot give this book any higher recommendation than this; It is a compelling and exciting book with endearing characters. If humans want an idea of the pain of separation that those who are promised to one another must endure, then they should by all means read Evergreen and then try waiting until the next book in the series comes out in 2013.
I enjoy all things Mer but I absolutely loved this book! Everblue left off with some crazy stuff going down in Natatoria; Tatchi being left behind because of the bassface Azor forcing her promise, Fin and his parents escaping with the aid of their band of ferrymen, Fin proposing to Ash with a red stone for his ginger girl, and Fin, leaving Ash behind, taking a family road trip to Florida to escape evil mermen. So now we continue this adventure that takes place over a span of 11days...slightly less than actually but a lot can happen as Pandos proves.
While the dates being in the title of each chapter helped to keep me on track, I was still blown away with the amount of action and drama that occurred in said time frame. Doesn't anyone ever sleep?! Well, without the help of incapacitating octopus ink at least? I am by no means complaining whatsoever because Pandos brilliantly introduces new characters, subtly brings back memorable ones, and then weaves them seamlessly into the evergrowing, eversurprising, and evermysterious plot.
While the mission to rescue Tatchi is still a running theme, some other surprises take priority. Events that took place behind the palace walls years ago are well kept secrets...until now. Who really is "royalty"? What does being "promised" truly mean? Does anyone have the answers?
With mergirls like Galadriel, who may mirror Ash in looks but screams danger, and the return of the dark side with the likes of Uncle Alaster, who is so disgustingly evil that readers will recoil at the mention of his name, there is no room for boredom or even a potty break! I ended up burning my dinner because I left it on the stove as I was finishing the last chapter...not a smart thing to do *cough* children do not follow this example! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this amazing creation by Pandos and definitely recommend this to anyone and everyone. Action, romance, suspense, humor, and fantasy all rolled into this delectable treat. Bon appetite!
“We could try the window. It looks a little small but once the light comes in, we can lob Gidget through the window.” “Gidget?” I asked. “Yeah.” He pointed at Ash. “Girl midget.”
After the cliffhanger ending of Everblue (the first book in this series)..I couldn't wait to read Evergreen! This book definitely didn't disappoint and it made me like this series even more.
The romance between Ash and Fin is SO sweet! I was rooting for them to be together all throughout this book. Even though they were apart, you could just tell my by their phone conversations that they both truly love each other and would do anything to be together. They hit some bumps along the way..but in the end things work out and you can see how devoted they are to each other!
What I really loved about this book (and the series as a whole) is how Brenda Pandos is able to take mermaid mythology and make it her own. I loved learning more about the whole concept of "being promised" and what happens when someone becomes a mermaid. I really liked how she expanded a lot more on all of the details of the mermaid world! I was also surprised by the different curve balls that Brenda threw at us! There were many scenes that I really weren't expecting that really made this book stand out. I was definitely surprised by a couple things but they fit well in the plot and worked. I was a little sad to not see Ash's sister, Tatchi, who was in the first book. I'm hoping that she will be featured more in the next book in this series!
Overall, another great book to a fabulous series! I highly recommend reading this book this summer..and if you haven't read the first book you really should. Mermaid books are the best to read at the beach :D
Evergreen, Book #2 in the Mer Tales saga by Brenda Pandos returns us to the lives of Ashlyn and Finley, a human and Mer, as they endure the trials of separation soon after their romance began. In Book #1 (Everblue) a magical kiss created a promise that linked hearts with a binding and deep love. As we travel through the pages of Book #2 we are ensconced into their lives. Ash continues to go through the normal teenaged woes of being in high school, keeping up with her position on the swim team, having to put up a face with her family and friends and yet keep the secret of her love for a Merman. Meanwhile, Fin travels with his family across the country in hopes of a glorious reunion with Ash after her graduation. Many circumstances cause their separation with life-changing decisions that need to be made. Who would change into a human or a Mer? How is it possible for them to live together as a “normal” loving couple?
In the meantime, there is unrest in the Mer Kingdom of Natatoria where mysteries have yet to be uncovered in this ever-twisting web involving Fin and Ash, as well as other returning and new friends and foes. We discover that things are not what they appear to be as the story continues to unravel. Through all the angst, frustration, fear, treachery and suspicion in the story, there is also joy in the anchored love that Ash and Fin have for each other.
This is a joyous and entertaining read with engaging characters and delicious adversaries. It is well paced and very funny at times. I look forward to Book #3 (Everlost) scheduled to be released in 2013.
Jumping back into the lives of Fin and Ash in the world of Natatoria was like coming home. Some may say like a ship pulling into port. Fin's overwhelming charisma (which had me laughing at moments) along with Ash's tenacity and spunk truly endear me to their story and tribulations. The second book in the series is very well-paced and kept the pages turning. Every chapter revealed a new incite into the plot, characters, and facts in regard to life as a mer. I was happy with the amount of action and desire (and discoveries about love for a mer and how it really relates to the promising) which was well-written throughout the book. I found no "flat" moments or overly predictable character traits for the genre keeping the storyline multidimensional. The story was very rewarding with new characters (who are a GREAT addition to the story...with a LOT of "character") and I look forward to book #3 when it is published in 2013. This indie read has a few typos that are easily overlooked and should not be an issue for those familiar with reading indies. This book exceeds my expectations and outshines book #1 (which was mildly slow to start). If you liked Everblue, you will literally be swept away in the watery world of Evergreen.
Got my signed copy in the mail today along with a signed bookmark, thanks to the Goodreads giveaway! Thank you! Cover is gorgeous!
3.5 stars
Evergreen is a fun and cute beach read. Brenda Pandos created a unique and interesting mermaid world. I love how a mermaid/mermans kiss is so special, binding and promising the two together. Evergreen has a great story line and it took quite a few cool, unexpected twists. The romance was cute, sometimes a little cheesy, but sweet. I'm used to the characters in young adult books being very mature for their age and in Evergreen I feel they were more true to their age and I would've appreciated the characters more if I were a younger reader. I'm definitely saving the Mer Tale books for my daughter to read when she's old enough, I know she will LOVE them. Of course I'll buy the 3rd book when it comes out to complete my collection...and I need to know what happens to Ash, Fin, Tatchi, Galadriel and Jax. I'm now hooked in to the Ever Mer Tale world :)
Brenda Pandos did it again! I want more of Ash and Fin!!! The Talisman series was one of my favorite sets before this and now this one is surpassing that as my favorite! I thought the first book was awesome but this one was even better. This set is so different than anything I have read before. I enjoy learning about the world of merpeople as much as I enjoy the romance of Ash and Fin and everything they go through just to be together. This book is beautifully written and gives you a vivid picture of the heartache, joy, pain, and insecurities of all the characters. I also have new 'cuss' words to use such as son of a bass and Holy Poseidon! :) I could not put this book down! Now I have to wait till next February for the next one...I'll be counting down!
I am torn with this book. I loved the first book and was hoping that the second book would not disappoint, but I found it kind of lacking. It was pretty slow for me. I mean don't get me wrong the ending was great and I loved the twist but other than that it was just king of blah. I am really excited about the 3rd book and can't wait for it to come out.
I really love this series. These are the first books I've read by Brenda Pandos and I am going to by her other books based on these. I read this book in one day because I could not put it down. I enjoy the relationship between Ash and Fin and I like that a kiss means so much to the Mer. So many books rush to sex and Brenda Pandos has not done this.
ONE STAR'CAUSE IT IS'NT OUT YET!!I DEMAND FASTER RELEASES!!Mwahaahaahaahaahaa... I am gonna take over the world someday, and then, I WILL GET ALL OF MY BOOKS ON TIME!! WHA...? PWN!!!
One of the most enthralling series I've ever read. It grabs you from the start and completely wraps you up in the story until you can't put it down. There's no way I won't read all four books. Absolutely wonderful reading, you feel as if the characters are part of your life.
Loved the book. Kept me at the edge of my seat. HUGE surprise about Ash. Totaly blown away, This book is absolutly a must read. Cant wait for Everlost.
I am loving this series!I gotta wait a week or so for the last one to come out. The story is fasted paced and interesting. I enjoy mermaid stories, and this one truly delivers!