Review for Daughter of the Sea

Daughter of the Sea by Kathryn Lasky

Scale:
1: Couldn't finish it
2: Finished it just to see the ending
3: Liked it.
4: Really liked it
5: I will own this book

On my scale, this one is a 2.5 of 5.

It was a bit young for me to really enjoy, which might bias my opinion. Also, the story focused too much on the wrong plot lines (servant hierarchy) instead of the real story of Hannah and what she is/where she came from.

I hate it when the readers knows something throughout the book that the MC doesn't understand, but should. I would have like more mystery of who Hannah was and I wanted her to struggle more with trying to discover the truth. I also would have liked to see more romance between her and the painter.

The book left the reader wondering what Hannah's choice will be and wanting to see more of the Mer world, which I hope the next book delivers on.

Here's the Amazon review:

Orphan Hannah Albury, 15, the engagingly demure yet plucky heroine, has always been drawn to the ocean. Hired as scullery maid by the Hawleys, a wealthy Boston family, she embarks on a journey to understand and fulfill her destiny. Hannah is attracted to the family’s mysterious porcelain vases depicting sea creatures and even more so to Mr. Wheeler, an artist hired to paint the three Hawley daughters. He in turn hungers for and recognizes in Hannah what she doesn’t yet grasp. Meanwhile, the Hawleys’ psychotic eldest daughter, Lila, and her demonic cat, Jade, see Hannah as a threat; as she deciphers the secret of her identity, Hannah must ward off their perhaps supernatural attacks. The novel, first in a projected series, at first offers its early-20th-century history lesson in overly painstaking detail, especially the domestic staff hierarchy. Once Lila, Jade and Mr. Wheeler show up, the plot becomes gripping. A good bet for upper middle-grade and early YA readers. (Fantasy. 12 & up)

Much Has Changed

I haven't blogged in a while. Why? Because I quit.

I highly recommend it.

Quitting give you a break and helps you refocus.

Anyway, for those of you who haven't given up on my yet (your awesomeness is commendable), I thought I'd give an update. I went to the Storymakers Conference a month ago. Changed my writing career.

First, I had writing bootcamp with editor and pubbed author Lisa Mangum. Sweet lady. But more to the point, she's a great editor. She had some fantastic advice for Witch Song. But more importantly, she elevated my confidence a few notches (and after a looong period of little to no encouragement, I needed it). She was very complimentary of my writing. She said she loved it and that I was an excellent writer. I'm still glowing.

The next awesome thing was that I had a critique session with editor Krista Marino. She was also very complimentary about Daughter of Winter. She said my hook was fantastic and the writing was so clean all she could offer me was some line edits. I asked her what she thought my next step was. She smiled. "I think you should send me the full."

I couldn't have been happier if I'd just won the lottery. For the next ten minutes, I hugged everyone in the hallways. Whether I knew you or not, whether you liked it or not, you were hugged.

I also networked with many pubbed/agented writers who I've met at numerous writerly events (I know, I'm such a nerd). They were so generous, gracious, and gregarious (alliteration! I knew I'd get one in here. :) ). Including: David Farland, Elana Johnson, James Dashner, Matthew Buckley, J Scott Savage, Robison Wells, Josi Kilpack, Jen Johansson, Bethany Wiggins, Suzette Saxton, Natalie Whipple, Michelle Argyle (who I'm related to through marriage) and a few others who I've forgotten, not because they weren't awesome, but because I'm really a blonde in a brunette's body.