Thursday, March 21, 2013

Book Review: The Little Clockwork Mermaid

The Little Clockwork Mermaid

By:  Philippa Ballantine

Publisher:  Imagine That! Studios

Publish Date:  January 10, 2013

Format:  eBook, 29pgs

Genre:  Clockwork/steampunk fairy tale

Series:  Stand alone

Recommendation:  Yes, if you enjoy familiar yet with a twist quick Fairy Remix, with clockworks.

Synopsis:
The mermaid Lorelei is the youngest daughter of King Triton, but she has always been drawn to the Above world.  Though she is revels in the joys of her tail and the underwater world, she has never felt she belongs there.  The Sea Witch and her marvelous contraptions offer a way to pursue her dreams.  What she will find there will changer her fate forever.

First Sentence:
I thrust the harpoon hard through the tentacle of the kraken.

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My Thoughts and Summary:
Lorelei is coming of age to become her fathers warrior princess, like her sisters.  She fights her first battle with a kraken and humans, then her birthday venture topside, as custom allows, is next.  Lorelei has a plan what she will do when she ventures after she's learned a family secret about her mother, Queen Eleine.  After her visit and rescuing a beautiful man, all Lorelei thinks of is having the amazing two legs the humans have.

Philippa weaves a little retell of the little mermaid, with magic and clockworks.  Lorelei learns of the Above world, and even moves on further than imagined.

There are a few indications of clockworks in this little tale.  We see a steam and magic engine powered vehicle for mermaids, neat creation for speed.  Lorelei gets a few amazing gifts of clockworks too.  And the Above world has a feel of industrial to it along with war among the humans.  As the humans aren't very kind to the sea or the creatures in it either.

I am an ocean lover and the world and city of the sea with Lorelei created here has captured my heart.  I enjoy the fish used to create light and the atmosphere in the city.

Be prepared.  The ending is different, and I like it!  This is a remix with the base from the little mermaid but ends stronger for Lorelei.



**I read this for my own enjoyment.

16 comments:

  1. So she does not die like in the little Mermaid, that end was just cruel

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    1. Oh Blodeuedd, do you think I said to much in the review? Ooo, I hope not. I did love this ending though.

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  2. Like the sound of that ending. Oh and I wouldn't have thought clockworks and the ocean would work... how interesting!

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    1. Melissa (B&T) Thank you! :) I enjoyed this quick read. Hope you get to try it. And...the clockworks and ocean...she has a way of keeping it separate. ;) Thank you!

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  3. Fairy tale retelling with a steampunk twist?!? Love the sounds of it..great review Mel!

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    1. Kimba, I have to say between Pip and Tee I'm loving what they are coming up with in these steampunk fairytale remixes. :) Thank you!

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  4. I think it sounds fantastic! The review is great :D I love your warning too of the different ending. Thank you so much for sharing! Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven

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    1. Jaclyn Canada, I loved this ending, and wanted others to know it is different. :) Thank you greatly for stopping.

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  5. You scare me with the ending comment but I do love the sound of this overall. Happy it ended up being good.

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    1. Oh no Jennifer Bielman! The ending comment was meant to be good, not bad. Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you with it. I think this story ends stronger for the character. :) Thank you for stopping.

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  6. I haven't heard of this one so thanks for the review. It sounds good and like a shocking ending.
    Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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    1. Brandi Kosiner, oh so glad to share a new one with you. :) I hope you take a quick moment to read it. It's a short story but great with the little mermaid. :) Thank you!

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  7. I'm even more curious of this kinds of books. Steampunk books, I still haven't read any yet. And I just found out my little cousin just got the clockwork prince, her friend gave it to her.

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    1. Rivie Bleu. I'd love to suggest this book, but it's different with the steampunk and magic elements. I would highly suggest Tee Morris's Aladdin and his Wonderfully Infernal Device as well. That one takes the magic element and totally converts it to steampunk. Well done. Hope you get a chance to give these short stories a chance. :) Thank you!

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  8. Pip's got some amazing covers, and I really love this one!

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