Giveaway and Review: "Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels"

"Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels"
 by Helene Boudreau

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Release Date: Feb 1, 2012
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

The only thing that terrifies Jade more than the ocean is dancing at the Fall Formal. Because Jade has two left feet—er, flippers. Who knew being a high school freshman is even more awkward than being a plus-size aqua-phobic mer-girl? At least her only drama is of the human variety...

Or not.

The Mermish Council has just declared that all land-dwelling mers but return to the ocean. Pronto. But there's no way Jade is going to let her mom, or Luke, her...boyfriend? mer-guy-friend?, disappear into the deep, dark ocean. Again. After all, a girl's got to have a date to her first dance.

If Jade can stop mer-mageddon, finding a plus-size dress that doesn't look like a shower curtain should be a piece of cake.

My Review:

I can't resist books about mermaids, and this middle grade novel was adorable. I was surprised at the amount of world building in this book! The author really set up an entire undersea world with its own set of rules and politics.

However, my favorite part of the book wasn't the alternate universe, but the relationships between the characters. I loved that all of the characters cared about each other so much! You could really see how they joined together and helped each other in order to save the day. Jade's best (human) friend, Cori, was so adorable and encouraging to her friend, their friendship was so sweet and real at the same time. I also liked the addition of Serena, the mermaid who has just found her way onto land. Lainey, the mean girl, was fully fleshed out, and Jade was able to understand why she acted the way she did. It was great to see that dynamic explored instead of just making Lainey into a villain.

I would say this book is for older middle grade readers, or maybe even a younger YA reader. The characters themselves are in the 9th grade. There is nothing objectionable in the book at all, but there is so much detail and action that an older reader would definitely be entertained by this one.

Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5

Setting: 4/5

Romance: 4/5 (cute and age appropriate to MG readers)

Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: A fun mermaid tale, with great characters and relationships.

Giveaway:

One set of all three books in this series! Including "Real Mermaids Don't Wear Toe Rings", "Real Mermaids Don't Hold Their Breath", and "Real Mermaids Don't Need High Heels"



GIVEAWAY RULES
The publicist has generously provided a copy of all three books in this series for a lucky follower of my blog!
All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :)
  • US/CAN only
  • Must be a follower to enter
  • Books will be mailed out by the publisher
  • Must be 18 or over 
  • Ends Mar 8
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway



35 comments

  1. I read the first one and it was cute :)

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  2. How cute! I love that it's appropriate for middle grades - I'm always looking for books like this that would work for my 6th graders. I've never heard of this series, but I'm totally going to check it out.

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  3. Great review! I'm sure I've seen this cover before, but I didn't realise it involved mermaids. I guess I should have paid attention to the title. ;) I'm not a huge fan of mermaid books but you have me curious about this one now. Thanks for sharing!

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  4. The alternate universe paired with great characters makes this one sound great.
    I haven't heard much about this one, so thanks for the review and putting on my radar.
    Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  5. Great review, I love it when novels have great character relationships and the world building is of course a plus!

    I think my cousin or sister would love to read those!

    - Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf

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  6. My 13-year-old loved the first of these books and she'd love to read the rest!

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  7. Thanks for the opportunity to enter your contest!

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  8. I had never seen the cover for the middle book! only the first and the third! Thanks for putting them up!! and the books sound adorable.

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  9. I haven't heard of this series...but I do have a small weakness for mermaids. The covers are so adorable.

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  10. Haven't heard of this series,so I would love a chance to read it. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

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  11. Sounds like a fun read. I'll put this series on my wishhlist.

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  12. Sounds like fun! Thanks for sharing :)

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  13. This sounds super cute. I like that it seems to include very real characters with everyday problems...and not so everyday problems.

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  14. This sounds like a cute read! The characters sound fabulous and I love that the mean girl isn't a cartoon villain and is realistically portrayed. Fabulous review!

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  15. Oh this sounds like a great read! Thank you for the giveaway!

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  16. I so love that this is a plus size mermaid! She just looks curvy to me but I also like what it sounds like good friendships! I'd love to read this series!

    Heather

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  17. I love Mermaids and have this book on my TBR thanks so much:)

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  18. Books and series sounds really good. Count me in!

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  19. I really don't know anything about the series but gosh you make me want to read this--all the same thanks for the chance at your giveaway

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  20. My niece would love to read these; she is an avid reader and taught herself how to read. By the time she was five she was reading chapter books :)

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  21. These sound like great reads.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  22. had not heard of the series thanks for the chance to read.

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  23. These sound like they are just a cute little read. Thank you for having this giveaway :-)

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  24. This looks like such a fun series! There aren't enough books about mermaids and I love a book with great characters! Thanks for this amazing giveaway - I would love to win!

    Suz Reads

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  25. I have not read these, but they look great! I am always looking for a new read

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  26. This sounds like such a cute series. I am sure my daughter and I would love to read it.

    april yedinak

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  27. sounds lieka great series i'd love to read it

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  28. I've been curious about this serious for a long time. It sounds like such fun and I love the covers! Thanks for the offer! :)

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  29. This seems like a good series. I usually don't read fantasy but I will put these on my list. Thanks for the recommendations. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

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  30. I've never read any mermaid books - other than The Little Mermaid - but these sound quite interesting. I'd love to read them!

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  31. These sound perfect for my daughter. She loves to read! and especially likes book series with strong girl characters. Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  32. This sounds fantastic for my daughter. She loves mermaids and she loves to read-PERFECT!!

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  33. I am always interested in a good book. Even more so in a good series. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.

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  34. Thank you!! I just replied to your email! :)

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Thanks so much for your lovely comments!