Blog Tour (Book Review+Giveaway): Promises by Amber Garr

Promises by Amber Garr

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (April 8, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1468006797
• ISBN-13: 978-1468006797

Amazon

She knew this day was coming.

When seventeen-year-old Eviana Dumahl is faced with the responsibility of an arranged marriage and clan leadership, she is forced to choose between the life required of a mermaid and one of a teenage girl simply infatuated with the wrong guy. Kain, her devoted fiancé would make a wonderful husband except that she’s been in love with Brendan, a shape-shifting selkie, ever since they were kids. Choosing to abandon her family, her clan, and her life with Kain will have dire consequences far beyond anything she could have imagined.
A war is brewing amongst the clans and Eviana unwittingly becomes a pawn in the intricate schemes of a twisted mastermind. With Brendan’s life on the line, she has no choice but to involve those who she once considered friends. Amidst encountering senseless tragedies and immense loss, Eviana discovers that she is more valuable as a clan leader than anyone ever suspected. Her survival is not only dependent upon the loyalty of her friends, but also on her acceptance of a life that she had so adamantly tried to escape.

 Note: I re-read this book for the tour.

Cover: I'm still mesmerized by the cover. I love the hue of blue, the chaos of the model's hair and what seems to be seaweeds. I definitely enjoy the closer look to Eviana. I loved the cover.This did show what the story is.

“Promises” is the first book of The Syrenka Series trilogy following Eviana and her friends through the perils of clan wars, tragedies and immense loss.

Since,I already read the book, it’s easy to predict the storyline in the first chapters, but  I still find myself fully in Eviana's world that together with the characters, I'm in for a lot of unexpected turns and twist that left me stunned and emotionally affected. Grudgingly, re-reading the book doesn't make me any less hooked with the story..:D.

Like before, Ms. Garr's writing transported me in the mermaid world she created. The story flowed naturally, some of the scenes predictable, and yet I still feel the butterflies whenever Kain is near..;D. the conversations are genuine.Being my first mermaid novel, this one sure made mermaids one of my favorite creatures.

This book is a love triangle, and even though it was Brendan that Eviana loves, I find Kain to be charming and lovable. I'm with team Kain...especially when Amber has her eye on Alex Pettyfer for the role. With Eviana’s narration, it’s easy to see that she has a mounting feeling for Kain, which makes Kain almost the center of the book. There was more detail on him than Brendan, but I hope to learn more of Brendan in the next book too.

Eviana meanwhile, even though I want to smack her most of the times, her character was developed as the story goes on. In every situation she was put in, she grows and learns something from it.

The ending of this book meanwhile is a little too-happily-ever-after for me. But the excerpt of the second book takes that feeling back and replaces it with thrill and excitement..:)

All in all, Promises is a really great book to start The Syrenka Series. If you got hooked the first time you saw the cover, then surely, the content would have more to offer. YA Romance mixed with sea folklores and legends make “Promises” a unique book that is fascinating, engaging and over-all a must-read!

Highly Recommended to everyone who enjoys paranormal stories, mermaid lore, sea creatures, etc.. and for those who prefer the rival than the hero,...then, this is surely for you!!!..:)

P.S.There is a free excerpt of the Chapter 1 of Betrayal , the sequel at the back of the book. It promises another Eviana and Kain moment, and a little bit creepy…:)

Check out these cool team banners for Brendan, Kain and Graham from Sarah Elizabeth's bookshelf.

**GIVEAWAY**

There are 2 chances of winning:
 First, comment on this post about what you think of the review or even the interview.
No need to be a follower.
Prize: any e-copy of the 3 books (Promises/Betrayal/Arise)

Second: Win all three signed paperbacks of the Syrenka Series plus surprise swag.
Open INT.,. this is a tour-wide giveaway
click here to enter the giveaway and visit the other stops to win.

Check out my interview with Amber Garr and know her dream cast.>:D!
View all my reviews