Thursday, December 20, 2012

Review: Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama

Monstrous Beauty
Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama: a dip into mermaid lore (pun intended).

Fierce, seductive mermaid Syrenka falls in love with Ezra, a young naturalist. When she abandons her life underwater for a chance at happiness on land, she is unaware that this decision comes with horrific and deadly consequences. Almost one hundred forty years later, seventeen-year-old Hester meets a mysterious stranger named Ezra and feels overwhelmingly, inexplicably drawn to him. For generations, love has resulted in death for the women in her family. Is it an undiagnosed genetic defect . . . or a curse? With Ezra’s help, Hester investigates her family’s strange, sad history. The answers she seeks are waiting in the graveyard, the crypt, and at the bottom of the ocean—but powerful forces will do anything to keep her from uncovering her connection to Syrenka and to the tragedy of so long ago (GoodReads).

  • Originality: 9. This high score is not only because this is the first mermaid book I have read (clearly I refuse to acknowledge Ripple). The mixing of historical fiction, mermaid lore, and the split narration between colonial times and present day felt fresh. (Even if I didn't dig the mermaid lore...).
  • Absurdity: 9. If Originality did not convince you, keep reading.
  • Level of Paranormal Romance: 4 for the relationship and 9 for the paranormal part. Underwhelming. I felt like the reincarnated soul-mate aspect was a biiiiit too close to having a crush on a great-grandfather. Just take Michael J Fox in Back to the Future as a role model. Don't get romantically involved with family members from the past. BUT paranormal romance points for cursed ghosts who love the reincarnated souls of mermaids, right?
  • Level of Harry-Potterness: 6. For writing style and sophistication, this score reflects the satisfaction I felt in figuring out the overlapping stories. The story was well-told, even if it was not for me.
PEOPLE I WAS SEEN IN PUBLIC WITH THIS-- LOOK at that back cover. I die.

9 comments:

  1. The "crush on a great grandfather" comment just reminds me of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I thought that cross-generational love triangle aspect of the book was totally weird. I think I would find it weird in any book. Authors need to stop going there and creeping me out.

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    1. I totally agree. George R.R. Martin, I am looking at you!

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  2. Sounds like an interesting book. I can't wait to read it! Another excellent read I just finished is called, Shadow of the Sun by author Merrie P. Wycoff. This a paranormal fiction thriller written in the time of ancient Egypt during the reign of Pharaoh Ahkenaten and Queen Nefertiti and told through the eyes of their daughter, Merit-Aten. A paranormal tale of mysticism and magic.

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  3. I've had this book on my TBR list for awhile but I guess I still remain somewhat skeptical on the whole mermaid lore thing. Honestly, I doubt anything can live up to Disney's "The Little Mermaid" or even the original, more macabre Hans Christian Anderson version. I think I may give it a whirl one day though.

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  4. OMG that back cover. I am embarrassed for you. Also... I'm reading The Vicious Deep and it's great so far! It's my first mermaid book, too.

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    1. I don't know if I can read another mermaid book too soon, but I am interested to hear how it goes!

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  5. "For generations, love has resulted in death for the women in her family. Is it an undiagnosed genetic defect . . . or a curse?"

    I have a little trouble getting past the "love = death because of a genetic defect" part of this sentence!

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    1. This is a legit concern :-) I don't quite remember why I wanted to read this.....but it has happened

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  6. LOL...yeah...that back cover is eye-catching...lol...you've written a very interesting review. I'm looking forward to checking the book out. I've never read a mermaid story before. I used to be fascinated by them as a kid.

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