Lost Voices by Sarah Porter

January 15, 2011 2011, 2011 debut author challenge, first in a series, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, NetGalley, review, Sarah Porter, young adult 1

Lost Voices by Sarah Porter
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Release: July 4, 2011
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis from HMH website:

Fourteen-year-old Luce has had a tough life, but she reaches the depths of despair when she is assaulted and left on the cliffs outside of a grim, gray Alaskan fishing village. She expects to die when she tumbles into the icy waves below, but instead undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid. A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in—all of them, like her, lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives. Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: the mermaids feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers, using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks. Luce possesses an extraordinary singing talent, which makes her important to the tribe—she may even have a shot at becoming their queen. However her struggle to retain her humanity puts her at odds with her new friends. Will Luce be pressured into committing mass murder?
My Review:
I hadn’t read any mermaid fiction before, so I when I saw this book I was so excited.

We’re introduced to Luce, who lost her mom very young, and later her dad to the sea. She now lives with her uncle and is an outcast at school. Personally, I felt that no reason was given for Luce being an outcast, other than her father disappearing at sea, which I would think would be an unfortunate, but common occurance where they live. I feel that little point was thrown in there and then forgotten.

I had some small issues with a few of the characters. I felt there was no need for Jenna at all once Anais had arrived. Luce, while I loved her, seemed a tad bit more mature than your average 14 year-old. And Catarina, hot or cold, you didn’t know what to expect with her. I would’ve liked her backstory earlier so I could’ve understood her better, instead of at the very end.

The writing style of this author is beautiful. I loved the descriptions she gives of the different tail colors, of what the water does while Luce sings. Overall I really liked this book, quite possibly enough that I’ll buy it after it’s released. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this trilogy.

My first review for the Story Siren’s Debut Author 2011 Challenge!

Chelsey C.

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One Response to “Lost Voices by Sarah Porter”

  1. Majanka Verstraete

    I saw you had also reviewed Lost Voices, and I wanted to know your thoughts, since I have reviewed it as well. I did enjoy it, but I didn’t like it as much as you did. As you mentioned, the descriptions were absolutely wonderful and the writing style was amazing. I had some trouble with the personalities of the characters, and the general storyline.

    In case you’re interested, here’s my review for Lost Voices. I rated it a 3/5.

    Reply

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