{"id":3010,"date":"2016-08-29T09:00:14","date_gmt":"2016-08-29T16:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/?p=3010"},"modified":"2016-11-09T17:19:41","modified_gmt":"2016-11-10T01:19:41","slug":"emerge-teen-review-and-author-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2016\/emerge-teen-review-and-author-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"Emerge — teen review and author interview"},"content":{"rendered":"

Review and author interview by Jane Lee, grade 11<\/p>\n

\"plya_easton\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Emerge<\/em> by Tobie Easton<\/h2>\n

Ever since the Little Mermaid unleashed a curse that stripped Mer of their immortality, war has ravaged the seven seas. Lia Nautilus is part of a secret community of land dwelling Mer that has taken refuge along the Malibu coast. In order to keep this community safe, she must limit contact with all non-Mer. However, when Lia finds out that another Mer girl is using banned ancient magic called sirening to control Lia\u2019s crush, Clay, \u00a0Lia risks exposing her secret to stop her.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a kid growing up watching Disney movies and wishing I had hair like the princesses, I really really loved the unique addition of the Little Mermaid in this story. I thought the author was really creative by writing a modern day story of the descendants of the Little Mermaid. The plot was good, but I thought it was very predictable and I wished there was something more. The narrative is in Lia\u2019s point of view and even though she does embody a strong female character, I would actually sigh sometimes because of how annoyed I was with her. One character I really loved however, was Caspian, Lia\u2019s childhood friend. Till the very end, Caspian (super attractive) proved to be a loyal friend that truly cared about Lia. The story ends nicely and I was impressed with how Lia balanced both her family and her own beliefs together.<\/p>\n

Overall, I thought this book was super creative and I enjoyed Tobie Easton\u2019s development of the whole story. If you\u2019re looking for a book with mermaids, adventure, romance, and a strong female character, I recommend Emerge. 4\/5 STARS<\/p>\n

Interview with the author<\/h2>\n

What was your favorite part\/ chapter to write and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I have two. \u00a0The part that immediately pops into my head is when Lia goes down to the grottos for the first time. \u00a0A system of secret caves and underwater tunnels lies hidden underneath the beachfront estates in Lia\u2019s community. \u00a0So, when Lia takes us from the upper levels of her home down into these sparkling grottos, it\u2019s our first peek into the world of Mermaids. \u00a0This is when the book starts to get magical. <\/span><\/p>\n

My favorite scene overall is one that\u2019s hard to describe without spoilers, so here\u2019s my very carefully worded version: Clay drops by Lia\u2019s house unexpectedly while she\u2019s in the swimming pool, and he may or may not catch a glimpse of her tail.<\/span><\/p>\n

Team Clay or Team Caspian?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I love them both! \u00a0I took all my absolute favorite qualities and divvied them up between Clay and Caspian. \u00a0I will say, I think Lia and Clay can learn the most from each other and grow together as a couple. \u00a0But I really have a soft spot for Caspian because he\u2019s the one who always takes me by surprise. \u00a0<\/span>He\u2019s reserved, so it\u2019s easy to underestimate him, but he\u2019s <\/span>so<\/span><\/i> observant and caring\u2014and he sincerely values learning, which is a trait I can\u2019t resist. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span>If I\u2019m writing a scene and it doesn\u2019t work, brining Caspian in always fixes it (which is probably why he plays such an important role in the sequel, <\/span>Submerge<\/span><\/i>).<\/span><\/p>\n

If you could identify yourself with anyone in this book who would it be?<\/strong><\/p>\n

All my characters have at least some small piece of me (which I think is how I connect to each one of them and find their voices). \u00a0Lia, the protagonist, is a lot like I was in high school in terms of the way she thinks and how she expresses herself. \u00a0Her oldest sister Emeraldine is a lot like I am now. \u00a0Both consider love invaluable. \u00a0I also really relate to Caspian\u2019s love of learning. \u00a0And I wish I were as cool and witty as Lia\u2019s twin sisters, Lapis and Lazuli.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you were in Lia\u2019s position, would you siren Clay or tell your parents?<\/strong><\/p>\n

This question I\u2019m purposely not going to answer\u2014but I have a good reason! \u00a0One important element of the book is its moral ambiguity, which is something we all have to learn to cope with more as we grow older. \u00a0So, I want each reader to make up their own mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

Weirdest thing you\u2019ve ever eaten?<\/strong><\/p>\n

When I was six, I saw frog legs on a menu once and insisted on trying them. \u00a0The flavor was okay (garlic!), but the texture was <\/span>very<\/span><\/i> rubbery.<\/span><\/p>\n

Do you have any other works you are working on right now<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m currently writing <\/span>Submerge<\/span><\/i>, Book 2 in the <\/span>Mer Chronicles<\/span><\/i>. \u00a0Guys! \u00a0So much <\/span>happens! \u00a0I can\u2019t reveal too many details yet, but I will tell you we\u2019ll learn more about the characters from <\/span>Emerge<\/span><\/i> and we\u2019ll see new, unexpected sides to them. \u00a0There are also new characters I\u2019m SO excited for you to meet. \u00a0Submerge really raises the stakes and the emotional tension of the series. \u00a0And, of course, it includes my two favorite things: magic and kissing!<\/span><\/p>\n

What has been the toughest criticism and compliment you\u2019ve been given as an author?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s funny\u2014different people tend to criticize and compliment the exact same elements of any given story. \u00a0A plot point or character that one person dislikes will be the same one that makes another reader fall in love with a book. \u00a0That\u2019s why as a writer, you ultimately need to trust yourself to tell the story you most want to read. \u00a0It won\u2019t please everyone, but the people who need it will find something real in it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Do you have a special time to write or do you write whenever something comes to mind?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I set aside time every day\u2014usually after a nice cup of green tea. \u00a0Making writing a part of your daily routine is the only reliable way I know of to finish a book\u2014and it also lets your brain know when it\u2019s time to tune out the noise and unleash the creativity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are you a person that makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I totally don\u2019t see the point!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Review and author interview by Jane Lee, grade 11 Emerge by Tobie Easton Ever since the Little Mermaid unleashed a curse that stripped Mer of their immortality, war has ravaged the seven seas. Lia Nautilus is part of a secret community of land dwelling Mer that has taken refuge along […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":3011,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[120,54],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-book-reviews","category-teen-reviews"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2016\/07\/emerge.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5ZwbD-My","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7566,"url":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2024\/breathe-and-count-back-from-ten-teen-book-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":3010,"position":0},"title":"Breathe and Count Back from Ten – Teen Book Review","author":"Nathan Wang","date":"March 27, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Reviewed by Kaelin Lee, age\u00a016 Breathe and Count Back from Ten\u00a0by\u00a0Natalia Sylvester During the summer before her senior year of high school, Veronica seizes her chance to audition at her Florida town\u2019s underwater mermaid attraction, Mermaid Cove, and fulfill her long-held dream of becoming a professional mermaid. 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