Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova

***

From Sourcebooks Fire:

For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave.

He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth.

His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he’s heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he’s suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods.

Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea…and now it wants him back.

The Bad:

The beginning of Vicious Deep is a little difficult and confusing.  Tristan is completely confused in the beginning, so I suppose it was only fitting that I was too, but it made getting into the beginning difficult.  The book picks up after the first few chapters though, so do not despair.  I also wish there had been some additional character development.  Even Tristan feels a little one dimensional at times.

The Good:

Given that English was not the authors first language, I'm fairly impressed with the writing.  Vicious Deep is a unique and intriguing take on mermaid lore.  The mermaids and mermen are portrayed as beautiful, of course, but also as terrifying in that beauty.  This world co-exists with the human world, but is hidden from view by the Sea King.  Cordova's world also includes other mythological creatures that help or hinder Tristan in his quest, opening up a ton of possibilities for the series.  The ending of Vicious Deep sets up the next adventure for Tristan and his gang of merry mermaids and men as they set sail on the high seas. 

If you are a fan of mermaid stories - Tempest Rising, Forgive My Fins, etc., pick up Vicious Deep.  It is definitely worth the read.  Check out our guest post by Zoraida Cordova, as she dishes on the 10 books she would want if she were stranded on a desert island.  Also, make sure you enter to win your very own copy of Vicious Deep!

~Shel