Submerged

A Mermaid Tale #2

by Pauline Creeden

Mermaids can be cruel creatures.

I couldn’t stop them from hurting her, but I couldn’t let them destroy her, no matter what they did to me. The moment I heard the bottom feeder had been chosen for the reckoning, my heart sank. Had I been discovered for what I truly was? Years of pretending I was just like everyone else could all have been for naught. But then I heard it was Verona, and my blood ran cold.

Why was I surprised?

I shouldn’t have been. I’d stood by and watched her ridiculed since we were younglings. I was never as brave or as unselfish as she was. But today, I would be.

Genres: Mermaids

102 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2018

About the author

Pauline Creeden is an award-winning author, horse trainer, and overall book ninja. She becomes the main character in each of her stories, and because she has ADD, she will get bored if she pretends to be one person for too long.

Armored Hearts, her joint effort with author Melissa Turner Lee, has been a #1 Bestseller in Christian Fantasy and been awarded the Crowned Heart for Excellence by InDtale Magazine. Her debut novel, Sanctuary, won 1st Place Christian YA Title 2013 Dante Rosetti Award and 2014 Gold Award for First Place YA Horror Novel.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love these books. In Submerged, we get to see from a merman’s point of view which I think makes this story really unique.

As usual, Pauline Creeden’s writing is great. I really feel part of the world when I read these books and I love the character growth that goes on. Fun and magical!

I recommend checking this series out. I think it’s a great mermaid series and there’s a lot of good in each of these books!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Promotional Book Tours. All opinions are my own.*

Find this review and more on my blog: https://jessicabelmont.wordpress.com/

[Gypsy Madden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Pauline Creeden’s mermaid books. And we don’t often get to read books from a merman’s perspective. But all three that I’ve read by her have started off with bullying. I’m starting to wonder if that is the only way she knows how to start a mermaid book. In Scales, the mermaid spent the book mostly in exile, while in One Thousand Tears, the mermaid took to land shortly into the book. This is the first of her mermaid books that was spend exclusively in the undersea mer world. Honestly, there wasn’t much to it, as if the author was uncomfortable with bringing the mer world to life (which I also suggested in my review of One Thousand Tears when the mermaid took to land within the first couple of chapters). I mean, it seemed like the mer people spent their time at school, hunting, and bullying each other, and that was it. On the other hand, the mer culture also felt like a British period drama at times with betrothals, elitist classes and treating those not elite as being beneath them, and ladies gossiping. Bailey, the star of this book, does in fact grow as a character and I absolutely loved that. From a bullied child, to going along with the bullies, to finally asserting himself. Though the point where the book starts to delve into the events of the previous book Scales, it felt like his character got rather confused. As in, the author had him beautifully grow, but then needed to fit the events in the previous book where he had said quite a few mean and spiteful things which now went against the new character he had become, but the author did attempt an explanation to shed some light on why he acted the way he did. In other words, those scenes came off awkward and like they didn’t fit properly. But I’m still rooting for Bailey and Verona especially now that he’s had a chance to grow in this book.

[Sue Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pauline Creeden has done it again!!! Another amazing mermaid story!!

If you haven't read Scales yet -- I would suggest that you read it before reading Submerged. It will help this story make more sense. This is Verona and Bailey's story - told from Bailey's point of view. Bailey is a youngling. He was bullied when he was younger and then time changed and someone else was bullied -- Verona. He never bullied Verona and did nothing to stop others from bulling her. I don't write spoilers - so you will just have to read the book and see the shame, frustration, sadness and more that Bailey experiences.

Now I'm ready for the next book!!

[Helgaleena Healingline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bailey remembers fellow Mer Verona from childhood. How could he forget when she saved him from being the scapegoat of the school, the 'bottom feeder'? But she did it by inadvertently taking his place, and he was too timid to acknowledge her.

Now they are grown, and Verona has been cast out. He tries to aid her but his own upbringing causes him to have trouble explaining why, even to himself. Before he knows it he's followed her into dangers, both from the Mers and from the land dwellers. Why is he so foolish?

In the other volumes of this series, Bailey's character is puzzling and irritating. Now we get the view through his eyes and begin to make sense of him.

[Pike Perrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, magical and fantastical read. Bailey has hidden her true self for all of her life. Scared of the reactions of others. Scared to be who she truly is. A character I can definitely relate to. However, she is thrust into circumstances that push her out of her comfort zone as she must fight for herself and for Verona. The characters are so well portrayed and developed. The atmosphere is enthralling. Can't wait to see what happens next.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Swimmingly Fun

But the ending left me cold and very disappointed. I do not like it when authors bait you into buying the next book because t...it is not a fair practice to have no resolution of any kind. It seems cruel and in poor taste and disrespectful of the readers trust. We trust you to tell a somewhat completed story, even if it needs to continue...not leave us hanging completely. I'm afraid I won't be buying much of this authors work.

[Shannan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! I am so glad the author wrote this story based on the point of view of Bailey. It answered a lot of questions that I had when reading Scales. I do suggest reading Scales before this one, so that you get both sides of the story. My heart really went out to Verona and to Bailey. I don't want to give anything away but really, it's hard to go wrong with this author. I will say one thing though, I was very surprised at the ending. Now I have got to get to the next book!!

[Dina Bushrod · Rating 3 out of 5]

Other side of the story

It was very interesting to read the merman's POV from the authors previous book Scale. We watch as he grows from a fearful, stay-out-of-view type, to finally learning what he has to become, when he discovers what is important to him. Hopefully it isn't to late.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep. Totally finished this in two sittings. Probably could have done it in one, it was THAT GOOD. I am a sucker for any kind of mermaid story but it takes a special writer to not make it weird or gross or juvenile. Creeden IS that writer! She takes a character that could have been quite one-dimensional and flat and gives new insight into his psyche—well done! I loved it!

[Aighmi* · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a lot of potential. The concept of telling the story from the first book but a different perspective is a very good one. The problem was a lot of typos clustered through the final chapters, as well as my personal dislike of the protagonist. But I am still looking forward to the next book!

[Teya Teya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new author for me and I thoroughly enjoyed this tale. Pun intended. Clean, cleverly written, well-developed characters, and so intriguing I'm continuing on the journey. Excited to sea what's next. Yes, I did spell those words purposely.

[Melody Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading Bailey’s PoV! The writing is superb and I simply adore this series, cannot wait until Book 2 comes out so I can’t find out what happens to Verona.

[Melissa (missy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series just gets better.
I loved the world building and characters.
It is kind of a Little Mermaid retailing with a twist.

[☆Joycedale☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bailey's an ass. It's no wonder Verona didn't want to go back with him. I really thought this would make it seem like he was a good guy or something.

[Kristie Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, very poor copy editing. Nearly every page in the second half of the book had an error.

[Patricia C Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

This book was awesome. I loved every minute of it. Thank you for writing it. I love everything about mermaids