Customer Reviews

The Mermaid's Song

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This story is a very standard, practically by-the-numbers, gothic romance. It is rather ironic, because the author keeps calling attention to the fact that the heroine is a fan of gothic romance novels, invoking parodies like Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, yet she never once turns convention on its ear. Elements of Rebecca and Jane Eyre are also present, but unlike those novels there isn't much of an emotional payoff here.

I found the book to be poorly paced and many themes, especially potentially engaging subplots and seemingly supernatural themes, are introduced but never developed or explored, while many rather tiresome ones (and supporting characters) are focused on fully.

(Lastly, I bought this book because I was looking mermaid stories. This book had very little to do with mermaids.)

"The Mermaid's Song" by Marianne Willman is a delightful tale that will enchant readers everywhere. Willman has a wonderful lyrical style of writing that is sure to have reviewers raving.
Teaching at a girl's academy, Flora O'Donnell has escaped her past and her true identity. She has always felt a connection with one of her students, Johanna Cheney, who has been all alone ever since she came to the academy. One day, Johanna's uncle and legal guardian, Blaise Cheney, shows up for a visit and soon discovers how he has neglected his niece, who is fast becoming a young woman. He plans to take Johanna with him to his home in France where she can make her debut into society. Blaise then makes a very unorthodox offer to Flora, asking her to become his wife in name only for a two year period, during which time she will act as Johanna's mother. Seeing it as a means of escape from her past in England, which appears to be closing in on her, Flora accepts, and thus begins her journey.
But neither Blaise nor Flora counted on falling in love. In Blaise's chateau, Flora finds out about the terrible curse that has plagued the Cheneys for generations, and must deal with Blaise's interfering maiden aunt and a rather unfriendly maid. But her love for Blaise knows no boundaries, and she finds herself swept away by her dashing new husband.
But Blaise is hiding a shocking secret regarding the true reason for his deal with Flora. Fate takes matters into its own hands before Blaise can explain things to Flora, and consequently she is devastated when she discovers the truth. Will Flora be able to forgive Blaise for his betrayal? And what other, perhaps more mystical forces are at work here?
You'll have to read the book to find out, and it is most definitely worth the read. "The Mermaid's Song" is an outstanding historical romance, with a healthy dose of the fanciful and a touch of suspense added to the mix. This book had me captivated from start to finish - the main characters are complex and will win your heart, and the descriptive passages of the magnificent settings are intricately and expertly woven. I highly recommend this book!

this was one of my very first romance novels and let me tell ya it was a good sampling. i've always been a pushover for such things and from the beginning i was hooked. Flora and Blaise were two very different characters but seemed to fill one anothers empties. a family curse was also very thrilling and how Garwood weaved those mysterious scenes into it was even better. throughout the whole entire thing i stayed up till midnight trying to find the perfect place to stop. it just keeps you begging for more. i highly recomend this for any romance reader and for anyone who loves a little mystery.

Marianne Williams weaves a warm tale about challenge, hope and love. Her characters were well thought out and seem to come alive on the paper. The hero has a tendancy to be a bit overbaring at times, manipulating to get his way....but we all love a rougue I suppose. The heroine stands her ground, through all kinds of twists and turns. As you can I tell, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to Marianne's next book.

This is a story full of myth and mystery, as are the characters. It transported me to the sea in the day it took me to finish this. This is truly a magical novel that I couldn't put down.