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The Mermaid's Sister
by
There is no cure for being who you truly are…
In a cottage high atop Llanfair Mountain, sixteen-year-old Clara lives with her sister, Maren, and guardian, Auntie. By day, they gather herbs for Auntie’s healing potions; by night, Auntie spins tales of faraway lands and wicked fairies. Clara’s favorite story tells of three orphan infants—Clara, who was brought to Auntie by a ...more
In a cottage high atop Llanfair Mountain, sixteen-year-old Clara lives with her sister, Maren, and guardian, Auntie. By day, they gather herbs for Auntie’s healing potions; by night, Auntie spins tales of faraway lands and wicked fairies. Clara’s favorite story tells of three orphan infants—Clara, who was brought to Auntie by a ...more
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Paperback, 236 pages
Published
March 1st 2015
by Skyscape
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Alexandra
This answer contains spoilers…
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Robin
Yes. Absolutely. I want to read it out loud to my granddaughter.
Community Reviews
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First impressions do matter, and I couldn’t help being attracted to “The Mermaid’s Sister”. The cover art is gorgeous and it promises a good fairy tale-- one that weaves relatable, everyday humans with fantastical creatures. Unfortunately, the attraction faded when I was about 3 chapters through, and what's left was a feeling of ambivalence that lingered until the end. There is nothing original, nothing unique. The setting of an early 20th century fantasy rural America was charming, but the nove
...more

I love mermaids.
This book started off with a charming and intriguing premise: Two sixteen-year-old girls have been raised as sisters by their adopted Auntie, a loving and wise witch who's taught them herbcraft and more. But now, on the cusp of adulthood, one of them, Maren, is showing her birth nature: she is transforming into a mermaid.
Our POV character, her sister Clara, is emotionally torn by this irrevocable change - she doesn't want to lose her beloved sister. However, she recognizes the f ...more
This book started off with a charming and intriguing premise: Two sixteen-year-old girls have been raised as sisters by their adopted Auntie, a loving and wise witch who's taught them herbcraft and more. But now, on the cusp of adulthood, one of them, Maren, is showing her birth nature: she is transforming into a mermaid.
Our POV character, her sister Clara, is emotionally torn by this irrevocable change - she doesn't want to lose her beloved sister. However, she recognizes the f ...more


Unfinished at 30%
I got a bad feeling at the beginning of this. Something in my gut told me in the first few pages that a vital element of the story was missing, that I was not going to enjoy this.
I should have listened. There are so many things wrong with this, I could barely get through a page without getting annoyed at something.
So, positives? Ummm, I liked Scarff? He was a pretty decent storyteller and named after one of my favorite accessories. That's a plus I guess.
The writing is dullsville ...more

I chose this book as my Kindle Firsts selection for the month of February. Here are my notes from the read.
General notes:
* The text is clean and well written. I sense no textual issues and my grammar/spelling radar is not getting tripped so that's good. I would say that the writing lacks any real style or flair. It's all very straightforward and not terribly unique. Nothing reaches out to grab you about this.
* Pacing is average to slow. The story takes a while to develop in any meaningful way. I ...more
General notes:
* The text is clean and well written. I sense no textual issues and my grammar/spelling radar is not getting tripped so that's good. I would say that the writing lacks any real style or flair. It's all very straightforward and not terribly unique. Nothing reaches out to grab you about this.
* Pacing is average to slow. The story takes a while to develop in any meaningful way. I ...more

Let me begin by saying that I'm very happy I didn't pay money for this book because if I had then I may have forced myself to finish...
It was on page 57 that the battle raging in my mind over whether to push through and finish this book or to give up and read another book on my mile long to read list finally ended. Needless to say the book lost, which was a shame because I love fairy tales and mermaids are my favorite mythical creature.
My largest issues with this book can be explained in two wa ...more
It was on page 57 that the battle raging in my mind over whether to push through and finish this book or to give up and read another book on my mile long to read list finally ended. Needless to say the book lost, which was a shame because I love fairy tales and mermaids are my favorite mythical creature.
My largest issues with this book can be explained in two wa ...more

The Mermaid’s Sister was an enjoyable story to listen to. It’s a sort of fantasy young adult coming of age tale. A story of love, family, adventure, magic and self-discovery. I loved the magical and fantasy feel of the story, but as it felt a little too young adult for me, I couldn’t quite give it 5 stars. Definitely one I recommend to fans of young adult fantasy, and would probably appeal to teenagers.
I borrowed this in audiobook format through Amazon Kindle Unlimited.
I borrowed this in audiobook format through Amazon Kindle Unlimited.

A lovely tale about two sisters brought up together on a beautiful mountain. One was brought by the stork, the other left in a shell.
Their story takes them on a journey of magic, danger, captivity, adventure & mystery, as one sister tries to save the other.
At times it felt quite young and aimed more at teen readers I felt, it was still enjoyable & magical though.
Their story takes them on a journey of magic, danger, captivity, adventure & mystery, as one sister tries to save the other.
At times it felt quite young and aimed more at teen readers I felt, it was still enjoyable & magical though.

The frustrating thing about this book is that it had so much promise. The set up and feel of the world and characters had the potential to be a beautiful and touching story. Instead I felt mostly irritation at the relationships between the characters which seemed slapdash and rushed. A wanted a story about loss and sisterly bonds. What I got was a poorly construed romance with a little villain thrown in. Even as an adventure story the scale is small and while I really wanted to like the characte
...more

Excellent selection for a "kindle first"
From the first page I was enchanted and absolutely captivated. Noble has spun a fine yarn with familiar mythological beings in an unfamiliar setting. Wyverns, mermaids, and faeries, in the U.S. during the time of curiosities and snake oil salesmen seemed a silly premise, but unfolded so magically with each page turn.
Clara is a heroine to be admired. She is a refreshingly modest and dignified character where as our as-of-late, over-sexualized culture devalu ...more
From the first page I was enchanted and absolutely captivated. Noble has spun a fine yarn with familiar mythological beings in an unfamiliar setting. Wyverns, mermaids, and faeries, in the U.S. during the time of curiosities and snake oil salesmen seemed a silly premise, but unfolded so magically with each page turn.
Clara is a heroine to be admired. She is a refreshingly modest and dignified character where as our as-of-late, over-sexualized culture devalu ...more

To be honest I skimmed to the ending, and it was just so very boring.

This book wasn't for me.
I received this book from Netgalley in trade for an honest review.
...more

This book wasn't for me.
I received this book from Netgalley in trade for an honest review.
...more

3.5 stars. Three children who have special gifts are raised together and even though they are not siblings they are taught, that among themselves, love and loyalty are important above all else. Upon the verge of adulthood it becomes clear that they must embark on a dangerous expedition in order to save one of their lives. This was a good story with refreshing characters but for me it was a YA fantasy.

I received this book as a Kindle First selection through Amazon.
Technically, I would like to give this book 3.5 stars (I need half star options, Goodreads!!). Since I can't give it half stars, I decided it was closer to 4 than 3. The writing was clean and well-developed, with an easy flow. Sometimes, that's hard to find in debut authors these days. As for the story... well, for the most part, I enjoyed the story. It had it's interesting twists, but nothing mind boggling. It was just that - enjo ...more
Technically, I would like to give this book 3.5 stars (I need half star options, Goodreads!!). Since I can't give it half stars, I decided it was closer to 4 than 3. The writing was clean and well-developed, with an easy flow. Sometimes, that's hard to find in debut authors these days. As for the story... well, for the most part, I enjoyed the story. It had it's interesting twists, but nothing mind boggling. It was just that - enjo ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

Have you ever gone back to read your favorite book of fairy tales & fables and find yourself a bit disappointed to not feel the same sense of awe, delight, worry, fright and joy from reading the stories again? I've been there. When I came across this book on Audible, I hoped that it would be exactly what it sounds like: a fable with a bit of magic, danger, excitement and joyful ending. I am utterly delighted to have read and listened to this story because that is exactly what I gained. A story f
...more

This a wonderful, delightful story full of magic, whimsy, love, and the sorrow that comes along with having to let someone you love go when you would rather keep that person close to you for all of your days. Sometimes, what's best for the other person, and their happiness is what is most important, and you have to put your wants aside to do what you know is right. (view spoiler)
...more

A charming book that has a mermaid, yes, but is mainly a love story. I enjoyed it but I can see how other readers may have struggled with the pacing.
If you enjoyed The Mermaid's Sister, you may also like The Moon and the Sun by Vonda McIntyre, another historical fiction with a mermaid, but this one set in France at the court of the Sun King- one of my favorite periods in history. ...more
If you enjoyed The Mermaid's Sister, you may also like The Moon and the Sun by Vonda McIntyre, another historical fiction with a mermaid, but this one set in France at the court of the Sun King- one of my favorite periods in history. ...more

This book is a great big bucket of nope.
I went into "The Mermaid's Sister" with high hopes. Generally, if a story has elements that consist of something supernatural/magical creature/fantasy/two worlds blending, I'm in. Plus, there's the added bonus that it's a story about transition; human to mermaid, adolescence to adulthood, and I dig a good transition story. So I wanted to like it. Only I didn't.
To sum up, and there will be spoilers: As two sisters stand on the verge of adulthood (they're 1 ...more
I went into "The Mermaid's Sister" with high hopes. Generally, if a story has elements that consist of something supernatural/magical creature/fantasy/two worlds blending, I'm in. Plus, there's the added bonus that it's a story about transition; human to mermaid, adolescence to adulthood, and I dig a good transition story. So I wanted to like it. Only I didn't.
To sum up, and there will be spoilers: As two sisters stand on the verge of adulthood (they're 1 ...more

3 Stars
I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I downloaded it for free through the kindle first reads program.
Maren and Clara are sisters - just not by blood. They came by way of seashell and stork, both delivered separately to the doorstep of the woman who would come to raise them. There is also O'Neil, their almost brother, who came into the world by way of an apple tree.
Maren and Clara grew up on a secluded Pennsylvanian mountainside, an idyllic childhood, until Mar ...more
I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I downloaded it for free through the kindle first reads program.
Maren and Clara are sisters - just not by blood. They came by way of seashell and stork, both delivered separately to the doorstep of the woman who would come to raise them. There is also O'Neil, their almost brother, who came into the world by way of an apple tree.
Maren and Clara grew up on a secluded Pennsylvanian mountainside, an idyllic childhood, until Mar ...more

Feb 16, 2019
Tucker (TuckerTheReader)
marked it as to-read

I picked up The Mermaid's Sister through Kindle First and was delightfully surprised by the tale. It had interesting characters, a nice fairy tale fantasy plot set in historical Pennsylvania, and I pretty much devoured the book in a few days. There was a good Virtus angle in it (Clara trying to save her sister's life), a tension-filled love story, and an engaging cast of characters. It's mean for a YA audience, but I enjoyed it. My only criticism was the tension could have been more harrowing. I
...more

good: really beautiful, lovely fairy-tale style prose, pet dragon! (my all time fave)
bad: poc as villains trope, use of "g**sy" a million times and the related stereotypes, bad bad resolution of abuse, exotification/fetishization of non-white cultures, disappointing end (obvi not as bad as the rest but still) also clara (main character) continually referring to her love interest, o'neill, as her 'almost-brother'?? i don't know if they would really be considered siblings since the families only s ...more
bad: poc as villains trope, use of "g**sy" a million times and the related stereotypes, bad bad resolution of abuse, exotification/fetishization of non-white cultures, disappointing end (obvi not as bad as the rest but still) also clara (main character) continually referring to her love interest, o'neill, as her 'almost-brother'?? i don't know if they would really be considered siblings since the families only s ...more

http://www.yabookscentral.com/yaficti...
A New Classic Fairytale
The Mermaid's Sister reads like a classic fairytale. It is an adventure centered around a family of teens with magical origins, and their quest of self discovery. The language is lyrical, poetic, and heartbreaking. I can just keep gushing about how beautiful the writing is.
What I loved:
The books is told from Clara's point of view. Clara is shy and modest, but loves her family fiercely. She's the quiet shadow to her charming sister ...more
A New Classic Fairytale
The Mermaid's Sister reads like a classic fairytale. It is an adventure centered around a family of teens with magical origins, and their quest of self discovery. The language is lyrical, poetic, and heartbreaking. I can just keep gushing about how beautiful the writing is.
What I loved:
The books is told from Clara's point of view. Clara is shy and modest, but loves her family fiercely. She's the quiet shadow to her charming sister ...more

May 12, 2016
Rebecca Carter
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
2016-reads,
fiction,
romance,
adventure-fiction,
fantasy,
historical-fiction,
magical-realism,
ya
The Mermaids Sister is an original fairy tale perfect for bedtime reading, or while relaxing on a beach with the waves crashing in the background.
It's a lovely magical story about two sisters who are brought up together on a mountain. One was left in a conch shell and the other dropped of by a stork. They live a blissful life until Maren begins turning into a mermaid, resulting in them having to step foot off the mountain and set off on a journey filled with magic, obstacles and danger.
The wri ...more
It's a lovely magical story about two sisters who are brought up together on a mountain. One was left in a conch shell and the other dropped of by a stork. They live a blissful life until Maren begins turning into a mermaid, resulting in them having to step foot off the mountain and set off on a journey filled with magic, obstacles and danger.
The wri ...more

This book is quite possibly the best debut novel (and one of the best books in general) I've read. The writing is flawless. I was crazy jealous the whole time, wishing I had written every line of this book. The world is so easily grasped. Her writing is so good that we are immediately familiarized with this world. The characters are well done. The character voice and tone of the book are perfect. The tension and stakes are sky high without being overdone. I don't even know where to start with th
...more

4.5
This book was everything: adventurous, magical, whimsical, action-packed, lovely. A surprise find that's so worth it even if it did end a little too sweetly: with a marriage. This book game me similar feelings I got while reading The Night Circus and The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making. ...more
This book was everything: adventurous, magical, whimsical, action-packed, lovely. A surprise find that's so worth it even if it did end a little too sweetly: with a marriage. This book game me similar feelings I got while reading The Night Circus and The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making. ...more

Absolutely the best read in years! Love her writing! Can't wait to read her next novel!
...more

I debated between 2-3 stars for this book, because although this wasn't the worst thing I've ever read, it's all a bit dull and well, unexplained. I got sucked into this book by the blurb (obviously -that is what they are supposed to do!). It's a tale of 2 sisters raised on a mountain by their aunt (who is some kind of witch/fairy healer) except one of the sisters, Maureen, is slowly turning into a mermaid. If she does not get to the ocean, she will die. The second sister Clara must find a way t
...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Around the Year i...: The Mermaid's Sister, by Carrie Anne Noble | 1 | 24 | Dec 08, 2016 03:51PM | |
What are you reading, Delgado? | 1 | 10 | Apr 08, 2015 01:16PM |
In the wake of her checkered past as a theatre student, restaurant hostess, certified nurse aide, and newspaper writer, Carrie now writes novels and short stories. She lives in the mountains of Pennsylvania with her tolerant husband, charming children, two naughty cats, a not-so-bright dog, and seven really-not-so-bright chickens. The chickens do not live in the house. You can read her blog at htt
...more
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