Review: Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Read (June 17 - 21, 2012)

Book: Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Publication Date: June 12, 2012

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers 

Number of Pages: 303 

Genre/s: Young Adult, Mermaids
Source: ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley

Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans and absorb their positive energy. Usually, they select their victims at random, but this time around, the underwater clan chooses its target for a reason: revenge. They want to kill Jason Hancock, the man they blame for their mother's death.

It's going to take a concerted effort to lure the aquaphobic Hancock onto the water. Calder's job is to gain Hancock's trust by getting close to his family. Relying on his irresistible good looks and charm, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter Lily. Easy enough, but Calder screws everything up by falling in love—just as Lily starts to suspect there's more to the monster-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined, and just as the mermaids threaten to take matters into their own hands, forcing Calder to choose between them and the girl he loves.

One thing's for sure: whatever Calder decides, the outcome won't be pretty. - (source)

My first mermaid book and unfortunately I couldn't really say I loved it. 

In all fairness, I love the concept of mermaid here. They're not the Disney version. They don't sing, they don't collect human artifacts, and they don't certainly save drowning humans. They kill and they are dangerous. Promises are of the utmost regard for them and if it's broken then you have to repay it, no matter the cost. 

Lies Beneath had a gorgeous cover and it also had the best opening line I've read in a while. It hooked me right in, but sadly, my interest level was not sustained. Why? Because I felt like I've read this kind of story a thousand times before. The only difference was it was told in a male POV and there were mermaids. After the novelty lost its charm, everything just started to go bland. 

It's not exactly gripping either. Mostly because, the plot line was predictable and I couldn't connect to any of the characters. But Lily is commendable because she thinks and she didn't fall for Calder immediately. They read poems at each other, too, which honestly didn't help. I never really like poems. I suck I know.

Lies Beneath has a lot of potential though. The scenery was captivating and the writing was good as well. Too bad, it's not the case with the characters at all. I just couldn't relate to them. Shame.

Cupid's Verdict:

2 1/2 Cupids

A copy was provided by the publisher at no cost via Netgalley
in exchange for an honest review.