Recommendation Fridays: The Aquarathi by Amalie Howard

   Waterfall was one of those books I first discovered at the Public Library and never forgot about. It was always on my mind until I heard when it's sequel, Oceanborn, was going to be released. Then I was stuck thinking about Oceanborn all the time. The Aquarathi series is one of THOSE series, and trust me it's one of the best series to have a book hangover for. 

   A wacky twist on Mermaids and Aliens, Royalty, Romance. All the great qualities a book needs to drive a reader insane with needing more.

   I highly recommend this series to everyone with a fancy for mermaids, it'll definitely satisfy any mermaid craving you have.

The series would probably be best for people who like the following books:

Fantasy, Paranormal, Sci- Fi, Mermaids, Aliens, Royalty, the Ocean

But like always, it's a great series for everyone!

Waterfell by Amalie Howard

Release Date: October 29th, 2013

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Series: The Aquarathi, #1

Format: Paperback, 350 pages

Description from GoodReads:

   THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE QUEEN

   Nerissa Marin hides among teens in her human form, waiting for the day she can claim her birthright—the undersea kingdom stolen from her the day her father was murdered. Blending in is her best weapon—until her father's betrayer confronts Nerissa and challenges her to a battle to the death on Nerissa's upcoming birthday—the day she comes of age. 

   Amid danger and the heartbreak of her missing mother, falling for a human boy is the last thing Nerissa should do. But Lo Seavon breaches her defenses and somehow becomes the only person she can count on to help her desperate search for her mother, a prisoner of Nerissa's mortal enemy. Is Lo the linchpin that might win Nerissa back her crown? Or will this mortal boy become the weakness that destroys her?

Ohana Reads Review of Waterfall

Oceanborn by Amalie Howard

Release Date: July 29th, 2014

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Series: The Aquarathi, #2

Format: Paperback, 384 pages

Description from GoodReads:

   The coronation is over. 

   But the battle has just begun. 

   Nerissa Marin has won her crown. But can she keep it? Already, her ties to the human realm are driving a wedge between Nerissa and her people. When word arrives that her part-human prince consort, Lo, has been poisoned, she makes the difficult choice to leave Waterfell and return landside. As the royal courts debate her decision, even more disturbing rumours surface: a plot is rising against her, led by someone she least expects. 

   On land, Nerissa learns another shocking truth-Lo does not remember who she is. As her choice to try to save him threatens her hold on her crown, changing loyalties and uncertainty test her courage in ways she could never have imagined. Nerissa will have one last chance to prove herself as a queen …and save the undersea kingdom she loves.

Ohana Reads Review of Oceanborn

Seamster by Amalie Howard

Release Date: June 17th, 2014

Publisher: RAH MEDIA LLC

Series: The Aquarathi, #1.5

Format: Kindle Edition, 81 pages

Description from GoodReads:

   They say that love is the death of duty … 

   Speio Marin is land-bound, tied to the side of the Waterfell queen-to-be, Nerissa. There's only one problem--she wants nothing to do with any of the Aquarathi or her undersea kingdom, preferring instead the freedom of pretending to be human. Torn between his own desires and his duty to serve his future queen, he spirals into an abyss of malcontent. Speio’s mistrust of humans is no secret, and he sees them only as a threat to the existence of his people. 

   Until he meets Anya Delmonico--a mysterious and enigmatic girl, teetering on the edge of survival. Anya is sedate and secretive, yet reckless enough to brave a hundred-foot cliff jump. Caught between a dark past and an ex-boyfriend who refuses to let her go, Anya knows that getting involved with anyone new is the last thing she should do. But when her past catches up to her, Speio turns out to be the only one she can trust, refusing to let her face her demons alone. 

   When Anya discovers the truth about Speio, putting her life in mortal danger from the Aquarathi as well as her own sinister pursuers, will he risk everything to protect her? Or will he choose duty above all?

   I'll always like to hear of what you think of the series! It's an absolute favourite of mine, I hope it'll be one for yours too! Tweet me on Twitter or leave a comment and let me know how you like the series!

Book Review: Oceanborn by Amalie Howard

Read: July 19-25th, 2014

Release Date: July 29th, 2014

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Series: The Aquarathi

Format: Paperback, 384 pages

Source: Author in exchange for honest review/ book pendants

Description from GoodReads:

   The coronation is over. 

   But the battle has just begun. 

   Nerissa Marin has won her crown. But can she keep it? Already, her ties to the human realm are driving a wedge between Nerissa and her people. When word arrives that her part-human prince consort, Lo, has been poisoned, she makes the difficult choice to leave Waterfell and return landside. As the royal courts debate her decision, even more disturbing rumors surface: a plot is rising against her, led by someone she least expects. 

   On land, Nerissa learns another shocking truth: Lo does not remember who she is. As her choice to try to save him threatens her hold on her crown, changing loyalties and uncertainty test her courage in ways she could never have imagined. Nerissa will have one last chance to prove herself as a queen …and save the undersea kingdom she loves.

Review:

Contains Spoilers:

Fight, Nerissa.
   When I finished Waterfell I needed to get my hands on Oceanborn immediately.  When I finally did, I died of happiness. Waterfell was one of my favourite reads for 2013 and Oceanborn was easily another favourite for 2014.
   Oceanborn starts only a few months after Waterfell left off, with Nerissa ruling the Aquarathi in the ocean. While Waterfell was mostly about Niss being in hiding and living a human life, Oceanborn focuses a lot more on the royal side of her life. We may have only been in the royal court for a small period of time, the royal entourage followed Niss back to the human world where we definitely saw a lot of them. I really liked this change from Waterfell, with more of the royal attitude to the book we got to see both sides of Nerissa, the teenage girl and the Aquarathi Queen.
   At this point I have to believe our characters have the worst luck, or it could have been that Niss and Speio grew up together and that they make the same mistakes. Either way bonding didn't/doesn't come easy for them. Niss accidentally bonded with Lo and now Speio accidentally bonded with Rian.  I knew something was up with Rian from the beginning, but now we know why. This was a big plot twist for the series and I can't wait to find out where it leads us.
   I find that when reading a book before it's officially released causes me heartaches, the reason? The wait is even longer for the next book and must I say. I need the third book now, like right now.  Fortunately while I wait, I will definitely will check out Amalie's ebook novella from Speios point of view called SeaMonster.

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"In case I haven't told you lately, I love you." ~ Lo

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Mermaids, Aliens, Queens, Surfing

July Wrap Up!

   This month has been a month of distractions. You know how at the beginning of every school break you make some sort of plan to get things done during the particular break? That's been me, I had planned to read more this summer but my computer has been alluring me into it's trap to watch Netflix. So instead of getting a lot of reading done I've been bingeing TV shows. So far I've finished both seasons of Orange is the New Black, half a season of Pretty Little Liars and a few episodes of Game of Thrones. Oops.
   Besides the bingeing I feel like I've gotten a lot of blogging done, well I've had a ton more posts then I normally do in a month. So at least I've kept my promise on that front.
    My most exciting bookish experience this month by far would have to be finally getting my ARC of Diamonds in the Rough by Michelle Madow and to find my name in the acknowledgements! AHH!
 
   That's about it for this month, I can't wait to see what August will bring me(:

Books Read in July:

The Savage Blue by Zoraida Cordova

The Vast and Brutal Sea by Zoraida Cordova

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

Drowned by Nichola Reilly 

The Selection Stories by Kiera Cass

The One by Kiera Cass

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Spellcaster by Claudia Gray

Oceanborn by Amalie Howard

Diamonds in the Rough by Michelle Madow

August Releases I'm Excited For:

Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee (August 5th, 2014)

Mortal Danger by Ann Anguirre (August 5th, 2014)

Of Metal and Wishes by Sara Fine (August 5th, 2014) 

Sister's Fate by Jessica Spotswood (August 14th, 2014)

Visions by Kelley Armstrong ( August 19th, 2014)

The Revenge of Seven by Pittacus Lore (August 26th, 2014) 

Ghost House by Alexandra Adornetto (August 26th, 2014)

The Aftermath by Jen Alexander (August 26th, 2014)

Book Haul for July:

Diamonds in the Rough by Michelle Madow (ARC Signed)
Rain by Amanda Sun (ARC Signed)
Oceanborn by Amalie Howard (Signed)
Four: A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth
Countdown by Michelle Rowen (Signed)
Wrecked by Anna Davies
Rush by Eve Silver (Signed)
Drowned by Nichola Reilly
Shadow Falls: The Beginning by C. C. Hunter(Not Shown)

Library Book Haul:

Spellcaster by Claudia Gray

Books Reviewed:

The Vast and Brutal Sea by Zoraida Cordova

City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

Drowned by Nichola Reilly

The One by Kiera Cass

Movie Reviews:

The Fault in Our Stars



   That's all for this month my lovelies!

Waiting on Wednesday (2)

Oceanborn

Author: Amalie Howard

The Aquarathi #2

Expected: July 29th, 2014

Harlequin Teen

Description from GoodReads:

   The coronation is over. 

   But the battle has just begun. 

   Nerissa Marin has won her crown. But can she keep it? Already, her ties to the human realm are driving a wedge between Nerissa and her people. When word arrives that her part-human prince consort, Lo, has been poisoned, she makes the difficult choice to leave Waterfell and return landside. As the royal courts debate her decision, even more disturbing rumors surface: a plot is rising against her, led by someone she least expects. 

   On land, Nerissa learns another shocking truth: Lo does not remember who she is. As her choice to try to save him threatens her hold on her crown, changing loyalties and uncertainty test her courage in ways she could never have imagined. Nerissa will have one last chance to prove herself as a queen …and save the undersea kingdom she loves.

Ohana Reads: Waterfell Review

Why I Want It:

   Mermaids are one of my favourite things to read about, The Aquarathi are so much more then mermaids. They are some what Aliens as well. Who wouldn't want to read about Alien Mermaids?!? Along with the alien mermaids, I loved Nerissa in the first book. She's the perfect blend of sassy and attitude. 

Why You Should Want It:

   It's Alien Mermaids guys, like seriously. Why aren't you reading it already?

   That's my Waiting on Wednesday for this week, will you be picking up it up at the end of the month? What are you waiting on this week? Let me know in the comments!(:

SEAMONSTER Cover Reveal by Amalie Howard

Hello my Lovelies! 

     Today I have for you the cover for the Aquarathi novella, Seamonster by Amalie Howard! I read the first book in the series, Waterfell in the beginning of last March and totally adored it! Oceanborn was instantly on my must have list! But alas, I had to wait till the end of July to get my hands on it. So when I first heard of Seamonster, I knew it was just the thing I needed to make the wait that much shorter. It's a awesome series, so I hope you guys check it out!

Ohana Reads Review of Waterfell (Non Spoiler Free)

  Now for the cover....

SEAMONSTER by AMALIE HOWARD

Novella
Available TODAY!

        

         Description:

They say that love is the death of duty …

Speio Marin is land-bound, tied to the side of the Waterfell queen-to-be, Nerissa. There's only one problem--she wants nothing to do with any of the Aquarathi or her undersea kingdom, preferring instead the freedom of pretending to be human. Torn between his own desires and his duty to serve his future queen, he spirals into an abyss of malcontent. Speio’s mistrust of humans is no secret, and he sees them only as a threat to the existence of his people.

Until he meets Anya Delmonico--a mysterious and enigmatic girl, teetering on the edge of survival. Anya is sedate and secretive, yet reckless enough to brave a hundred-foot cliff jump. Caught between a dark past and an ex-boyfriend who refuses to let her go, Anya knows that getting involved with anyone new is the last thing she should do. But when her past catches up to her, Speio turns out to be the only one she can trust, refusing to let her face her demons alone.

When Anya discovers the truth about Speio, putting her life in mortal danger from the Aquarathi as well as her own sinister pursuers, will he risk everything to protect her? Or will he choose duty above all?

Available on:

AMAZON

Check out the first book that started it all.

Waterfell by Amalie Howard

Released: October 29th, 2014

Publishing: Harlequin Teen

Series: The Aquarathi

Description from GoodReads:

THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE QUEEN

Nerissa Marin hides among teens in her human form, waiting for the day she can claim her birthright—the undersea kingdom stolen from her the day her father was murdered. Blending in is her best weapon—until her father's betrayer confronts Nerissa and challenges her to a battle to the death on Nerissa's upcoming birthday—the day she comes of age. 

Amid danger and the heartbreak of her missing mother, falling for a human boy is the last thing Nerissa should do. But Lo Seavon breaches her defenses and somehow becomes the only person she can count on to help her desperate search for her mother, a prisoner of Nerissa's mortal enemy. Is Lo the linchpin that might win Nerissa back her crown? Or will this mortal boy become the weakness that destroys her?

Find it at:

Indigo  B&N  iBooks

Pre-order book 2, OCEANBORN today! 

Oceanborn by Amalie Howard

Release Date: July 29th, 2014

Publishing: Harlequin Teen

Series: The Aquarathi

Description from GoodReads:

THE CORONATION IS OVER.

But the battle has just begun. 

Nerissa Marin has won her crown. But can she keep it? Already, her ties to the human realm are driving a wedge between Nerissa and her people. When word arrives that her part-human prince consort, Lo, has been poisoned, she makes the difficult choice to leave Waterfell and return landside. As the royal courts debate her decision, even more disturbing rumors surface: a plot is rising against her, led by someone she least expects. 

On land, Nerissa learns another shocking truth: Lo does not remember who she is. As her choice to try to save him threatens her hold on her crown, changing loyalties and uncertainty test her courage in ways she could never have imagined. Nerissa will have one last chance to prove herself as a queen …and save the undersea kingdom she loves.

Pre-order on:

Indigo   B&N   iBooks

                                  

                                       

AMALIE HOWARD grew up on a small Caribbean island where she spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book or being a tomboy running around barefoot, shimmying up mango trees and dreaming of adventure. 22 countries, surfing with sharks and several tattoos later, she has traded in bungee jumping in China for writing the adventures she imagines instead. She isn’t entirely convinced which takes more guts.

She is the author of several young adult novels critically acclaimed by Kirkus, PW, and Booklist, including Waterfell, The Almost Girl, and Alpha Goddess,

a Spring 2014 Kid’s INDIE NEXT title. Her debut novel, Bloodspell, was an Amazon bestseller and a Seventeen Magazine Summer Read. As an author of color and a proud supporter of diversity in fiction, her articles on multicultural fiction have appeared in The Portland Book Review and on the popular Diversity in YA blog. She currently resides in New York with her husband and three children. Visit her at www.amaliehoward.com.

Website  Twitter  Facebook  GoodReads

That is all for today my lovelies,

    Make sure to check out the fantastic giveaway at the end of the post, and we'll see you soon!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Waterfell by Amalie Howard

Release date: October 29th, 2013
Read: March 3-6th, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Series: The Aquarathi #1
Format: Paperback, 350 pages
Source: Winnipeg Public Library

Description from GoodReads:

THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE QUEEN

Nerissa Marin hides among teens in her human form, waiting for the day she can claim her birthright—the undersea kingdom stolen from her the day her father was murdered. Blending in is her best weapon—until her father's betrayer confronts Nerissa and challenges her to a battle to the death on Nerissa's upcoming birthday—the day she comes of age. 

Amid danger and the heartbreak of her missing mother, falling for a human boy is the last thing Nerissa should do. But Lo Seavon breaches her defenses and somehow becomes the only person she can count on to help her desperate search for her mother, a prisoner of Nerissa's mortal enemy. Is Lo the linchpin that might win Nerissa back her crown? Or will this mortal boy become the weakness that destroys her?

Review:

Contains Spoliers:

The sea is about reveal its most beautiful and deadly secret...

  Waterfell totally caught me by surprise! Mostly because I first went into the book thinking it'd be a mermaid novel, Woah huge surprise there. Waterfell is a new unique twist on mermaids and if you can believe it, aliens! And that's not even the best part, Amalie totally steps it up with the characters actually taking a form rather then human. Most books containing aliens now a days seem to always have the aliens looking the same as us, but with a few extra perks, shapeshifting, teleporting abilities, etc. Amalie's aliens do indeed have shifting abilities but they are unique to the species, when they don't look like humans there take their natural form which is quite terrifying. I think this is one of the parts that has intrigued me the most in the book, the aliens other form and the how their scale colours are the same as their human forms hair colour. I think it's just so incredible to just picture a creature and to have it's every detail written out onto paper creating a new life. 

  Another thing I noticed was that the main character Nerissa(Niss) was just plain rude, my goodness but immediately took a liking to her. Main characters tend to be selfless or quite little things in this case Niss had the 'high school girl everyone despises but has to love' attitude. I don't think I've ever read a book where the main character naturally has this attitude rather then just pretending. So props to Amalie!
  I am definitely excited for the next book in the Aquarathi series, Oceanborn, which releases July 29th, 2014.

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"Even though I feel heavy as a stone, I'm weightless." ~ Riss

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Paranormal, Aliens, Mermaids