Syrenka Blog Tour: Review & Giveaway Arise by Amber Garr

Synopsis of Arise:   With power comes the responsibility to accept its consequences.

After the betrayal of those closest to her, Eviana Dumahl struggles to cope with her new reality. Kidnapped, broken, and confused, she is forced to engage in a war that will alter merfolk politics forever. With her estranged father leading the charge, Eviana has no choice but to stand by his side. Her continued existence hinges on the acceptance of the power growing inside her, even when that means embracing the family’s dark lineage.

Kain Matthew will sacrifice the world for Eviana. And he is not alone. As time runs out, her friends fight to save her life and theirs. An unlikely alliance gives them the edge they need to take a stand, although it keeps Eviana’s heart trapped in the past. A new discovery explains some of her previous mistakes, but it may not be enough to stop her father’s plans. Merfolk, selkies, and water sprites work together to save their kind, only in this final battle, not everyone will survive.

In the striking series conclusion, Eviana will learn the true meaning of power, sacrifice, and love.


Review:  Arise is the final book in the Syrenka Trilogy by Amber Garr.  In this series, we meet Eviana, a mermaid, who is betrothed to a merman, Kain, but who is in love with Brendan, her childhood friend and also a selkie.  In the first book, Eviana ran away with Brendan so that they could be together.  The problem with this is that Eviana has a dutry to marry Kain and become the next leader of her clan.  Her running from her duty (among other things) leads to a clan war, which puts her friends and her family in danger.  After her parents die, and Brendan decides he wants a break, Eviana is forced to take over as clan leader, and tries to win the war.  A mysterious new guy, Graham arrives on the scene.... Eviana is betrayed by some close to her.  She is abducted by a madman claiming to be her father.  In this final book, Eviana faces even darker challenges.  Will she finally decide to be with Kain?  or will Brendan come back?  or will Graham be the guy for Eviana?  Is she powerful enough to end the clan war and embrace who she is?  You will have to read and find out.

I have really enjoyed the Syrenka series as a whole.  The first book started off a little bit predictible in the very beginning but then there were all these amazing twists and turns that kept me guessing and second guessing.  I really felt for Evianna's plight - it can be really hard when you have to choose between living the life that you think you want, and the life that your family wants for you.  That is something I think that most teens have experienced to an extent at some point in their lives.  I also felt for her at first, with her love for Brendan, though being betrothed to Kain.  By the end of the first book though, I was totally Team Kain.  Kain is just an all around better guy than Brendan or Graham.  I wasn't crazy about a third guy (Graham) being added in.  I kind of felt like Eviana was too old to be this boy crazy, and with everything else going on, did she really need to add a third guy to the mix?  But those are just my personal feelings - I know that the love triangle (quadrangle?) is the in thing in YA at the moment.

I think that Amber Garr did an amazing job at world-building.  I love that she chose to write about mermaids, selkies and other sea creatures - because it's not a branch of paranormal that has been over done - especially the selkies.  The conversations between the characters are well done - they sound like real conversations people would have (I hate when I read a YA book and the dialogue between teenagers is more prim and proper than adults even talk).  Amber Garr is skilled at engaging the readers emotions and making them feel like they are right there, in the thick of things.  I became really invested in the story - wondering where it all would go and how it all would end. 

Overall, I rate this a 5 star series. 

About the Author Amber Garr spends her days conducting scientific experiments and wondering if her next door neighbor is secretly a vampire. Born in Pennsylvania, she lives in Florida with her husband and their furry kids. Her childhood imaginary friend was a witch, Halloween is sacred, and she is certain that she has a supernatural sense of smell. She writes both adult and young adult urban fantasies and when not obsessing over the unknown, she can be found dancing, reading, or enjoying a good movie.

Social Contact 
Website: http://www.ambergarr.com 
Blog: http://ambergarr.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amber-Garr/232359720165110
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5374297.Amber_Garr

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