The Rising (The Painted Maidens Trilogy, Book 1) by Terra Harmony

Title: The Rising
Author: Terra Harmony
Publisher: Patchwork Press
Source: Netgalley
Age Group: Young Adult
Overall: ♥♥♥♥♥

Author: Loribelle Hunt
Publisher: Carina Press
Length: 74,000 words
Source: NetGalley

Age Group: Adult

Overall: ♥♥♥♥♥

- See more at: http://yearningmermaid.blogspot.de/#sthash.hJRKaSsY.dpuf

Author: Loribelle Hunt
Publisher: Carina Press
Length: 74,000 words
Source: NetGalley

Age Group: Adult

Overall: ♥♥♥♥♥

- See more at: http://yearningmermaid.blogspot.de/#sthash.hJRKaSsY.dpuf

Fifteen-year-old Serena is the youngest member of a dying race. The increasing acidity of the ocean is destroying her home, slowly eating away at the once thriving underwater landscape. But since the night of Serena’s birth, it is an outside force that most threatens their dwindling population. Werewolves, who once served as protectors for mermaids in the Kingdom of the Undine, now seek to eliminate all who dwell in the ocean — and Serena is about to find herself right in the middle of the deadly conflict.

Given the title of Werewolf Liaison, Serena is determined to make things right for her people. When she ventures to The Dry, she meets Liam, the werewolf with hazel eyes, and her whole world gets turned upside down. As Serena discovers the real history between werewolves and mermaids, she is left wondering who her true enemies are.

 You can guess by the design of my blog that I´m totally obsessed with mermaids, so it´s only natural that I´m also totally into reading about mermaids, too. The beautiful cover made me request this title and thankfully Patchwork Press granted me access. By now I can say that this is an epic beginning to a new trilogy and one of the best and most entertaining books featuring mermaids I´ve read so far.

Serena is the typical common girl (with fins) who doesn´t really fit in. And maybe she even likes it - being an outsider. She loves spending her freetime in the archives reading books or venturing out into the deep exploring the changes in her environment.
I liked Serena from the start. She is a warm character with enough spite to make every reader love her. She sees the underwater world in a completely different perspective as her people and it´s refreshing. With Serena even a group of sharks is not dangerous, but lovely.

After reading the synopsis I expected a "mermaid falling in love with a werewolf"- story, but author Terra Harmony had other things in mind while writing this book. I was delighted to find out that there is more to this book than I first assumed. I don´t really want to give away much, because I think the story wouldn´t be as fun, but Serena finds love, that´s for sure.

The last 60 pages of this book are a grand finale and an exhilarating ride for the reader. I was left speechless after the strong ending that promises an even greater beginning to the next book in this trilogy.

Another character I came to love was King Merrick, whom I disliked at first so much. But with each page his intentions became more and more complex. He is a great character and an even more wonderful king, who loves his own people and protects them with everything he´s got. His sad past adds even more depths to him and thus makes him my secret star in this book.

 The Yearning Mermaid says: "If you love stories about mermaids, about the deep ocean, a sweet love story and an unexpected twist, then I recommend you to read this book."

Teasers

[...]this is the first real gift anyone has given her. And never has she received anything so beautiful, so meaningful, and so...personal. [...] Serena turns her hand and grasps, pulling Ronan into a full hug, for which she receives only a grunt in response [...] She feels Ronan´s hand move to the back of her head and stroke her hair "You´ll be just fine calfling. Just fine..."

 [...]A scream does not form; instead, a song does. It is a low, guttural moan, a note for Ervin.[...] Heads turn in Serena´s direction. She raises her pitch and adds a slow beat to her tempo. [...] She sucks air in through her gills and pushes it out of her mouth. Her lips round, adding a soft whistle to her harmony. This note promises retribution. She calls to the Undine still in the ocean and heads emerge from the deep blue water, answering her call.