When Callie Pierce turns 18 she has three very simple goals: avoid her stepfather, escape to an Ivy League university of her dreams, and party with her friends. But on a night like any other, when the moon is full over the ocean, her life changes in a way that no one could have ever seen coming. On the sandy beaches of San Diego she meets Orion, a man from whom she cannot stay away, to whom her … her return becomes as inevitable as the tide kissing the shore. If that isn’t enough, a kiss which changes everything plunges Callie head first into a world of mythic responsibility, epic danger, and heart stopping romance. The mer, an ancient race of warriors brought forth to defend the seas, show her wonders beyond what is humanly possible, forcing her into an archaic chain of events that bring together power, seduction, violence, and beauty in a terrifying, yet exhilarating mix. Then there’s the Banished to contend with, a group of psirens corrupted by the oceans abyss that stand to destroy the eternity Callie has been promised. Will she sacrifice herself for the greater good, or is the gravity that pulls her to Orion just too great to bear?
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I have to admit that I am a Mermaid book newbie. This first one in the trilogy was suggested by several friends, and I was glad that I finally got around to reading it. It begins with a glimpse into the life of Callie Pierce, a high school student who, even though she has several friends and the attentions of a popular guy, she doesn’t feel like she fits in anywhere. It takes several uncomfortable incidents and a couple of rebellious decisions for her to finally find her place in the world, and none of it is anything she would have guessed or even believed if she hadn’t experienced it for herself. Being guided through this new and wonderful direction in her life, by handsome, sexy Orion, makes everything more wonderful and exciting, and finally gives her a purpose. Of course, nothing is easy, and she discovers that she has a role to play in her new community…a role that could mean her death…for good.
Unlike some, I love the attention to detail that Ms. Nicolle pays to the characters and their surroundings. I want to know what lurks inside the hearts and minds of the characters, and I want to see the background colors the author paints. This being her debut book, I found it to be breathtaking and exciting. So many of us found ourselves looking for a place to fit in, when we were in school, wishing that our lives were more fulfilling and purposeful. This is a story we can all see ourselves becoming a part of, and it is filled with danger and intrigue along with a sense of belonging and romance. There’s a darkness that fills the sea of our minds, and this author has a special way of shining a light on it. I look forward to diving into the next book in the series.
A world of mermaids is wow! This book is detailed… What I mean very detailed but very intriguing and you completely fall in love with characters. Callie is an American high school girl who has plans on going to college and get away from her stepfather. Callie and friends have a beach party and that’s where Callie meets Orion and instantly feels a pull with him and her world turns…. The mermaid world she meets and falls in love is in danger by psirens that want to take over the mer city. Will callie be able to help save ing the met city? I ain’t telling you got to read this book to find out. I can’t wait for the next installment. Kristy did awesome!
I absolutely love this book! I’m not a romantic, but experiencing the ocean as a mermaid with Kristy Nicolle’s vivid narrative — AMAZING!
If you’re into romance, this book is steamy with all the sappy love you could want, but if you’re like my favorite character Azure and myself, there’s also plenty of cynical sass and fun-poking at the lovey-dovey mush. The action and adventure is over the top EPIC, and the world lore is deeper than the oceanic depths this one story is set within.
This could easily be read as a stand alone, but it really opens the door to not only the rest of the trilogy but to Kristy Nicolle’s fantasy Infiniverse.
I hope you drown in this beautiful narrative just as I have.
TALK ABOUT LIVING ON THE EDGE!!!
OMG! Wow! I’ll get it out eventually. Maybe. One fantastic read with a strong storyline that keeps you captivated from the start. You have all of things that make a great read at its best. Action packed, fast paced, smooth flowing read that takes you on a thrilling ride with all the drama and excitement that pulls you in. The characters and scenes were realistic, intriguing and complex with an electrifying, white hot, off the charts, explosive chemistry that burns brighter than the sun. The scenes were so vividly detailed and descriptive that gives the illusion you were right there in ground zero. Twists and turns abound with nerve racking, nailbiting suspense that keeps you on a razors edge. Kristy weaves a world around you until everything else ceases to exist. Her talents are far reaching and seemingly endless. Following the characters along mesmerized as their personalities blossomed and grew to new heights in this page turning bombshell. Kristy did a phenomenal job bringing this read together beautifully. Great job Kristy and thanks for sharing this little jewel with us.
I enjoyed this book very much. Not much mermaid romance out there. An excellent read.
I will read just about anything; however, I do not consider much that I read to be excellent. I think this is an excellent story! It is well written and, unlike many indie authors I have read, well edited. As it is written from several different characters perspective we get to see more intimately how each character thinks and feels. I appreciated this type of story telling in this case. I feel it allowed the reader to experience the events as the characters themselves would have experienced them. For example, if a character was in a situation where they didn’t fully understand what was happening, we initially only saw the event from their perspective. In my opinion, it allowed us as readers to experience the story more as if we were apart of it rather than looking in from the outside as a narrator would.
The setting of this book was very well thought out. Knowing that this story was about mermaids I was skeptical that the underwater world would feel as real as the “real” world of other stories. This book has exceeded my expectations in this regard. Kristy has made this world come alive using creative words and descriptions. I quite liked that she has described a world that I don’t inhabit using objects and sensations that I have interacted with before. To me, it made this world more real.
If I had to pick something about this book that I liked least it would have to be that although the book is set in the US many of the terms used are British. For example, pitch instead of field. I understand that the author is from the UK and having lived there myself I didn’t find these terms and way of speaking to be that out of place; however, a native to North America might find some of the terms and language used a bit strange. It in no way impacted my enjoyment.
Do you know what I absolutely hate? Remakes. Who in their right mind thinks remaking a classic is going to make it better? Don’t get me wrong, if done well, I think they’re fantastic! I’m a HUGE fan of the “new” Beauty and the Beast. . .I’m NOT a fan of what they tried to do with Grease Live, and certainly not excited on hearing the news of a remake of Dirty Dancing. There are times where you need to leave well enough alone; but that’s coming from an old fuddy duddy.
Here’s what I love; when producers cater the Disney ideal into a more mature, adult version of the story. Including more detail that only adults could appreciate. And cue the red carpet for Kristy Nicolle and the greatest mermaid original “remake” you could ever hope for.
Magical things happen when a girl turns 18. You’ve either graduated or will be graduating. Possibility of moving on to college, maybe moving out and experience what life has to offer. I bit more freedom from the parents. Boys. Friends who own a beach house and are throwing you a birthday party. Callie however is not a typical teenager. “A girl who would rather read novels over trashy magazines, who finds guys her age boring, and other people’s drama petty.” (Pretty much a girl I could kick back with!) Unfortunately for Callie, Daryl (a boy who is pining after her) is there, and practically forces her into a tongue twister of a kiss that is not well received on either end; Callie refuses in disgust which hurts poor little Daryl’s feelings. (Ha ha- poor Daryl, yeah right.)
What better way to diffuse the nerves of a first kiss gone bad than to sit out on a sand dune and watch the waves kiss the shore. I’ll tell you a better way. . .it looks like an over 6ft tanned, muscular, flawless, slicked back hair, with piercing ocean blue eyes! I’ll let that sink in real quick . . .
Orion makes such a connection with Callie on the beach he asks to meet her the following day in the same spot. Being a more responsible 18 year old than I was, Callie asks permission to go out that night (it’s a lie where she’s going, but she asks!)
And it is this sneaking out that is going to change the world of Callie Pierce with just one kiss. With one kiss, Callie is “awakened” into her destiny; a calling in her blood of being a mermaid. Atargatis’ chosen daughter- to swim the seas for all eternity by the side of her soul mate Orion. Did I mention Orion has been waiting for her for centuries?
Of course coming from a modern day scientific world, Callie is filled with a plethora of questions. Who in their right mind would willing accept they have fulfilled their destiny by becoming a mermaid AND procuring their soul mate?
I mean c’mon! Life in the water, perfect hair, betcha anything thing you got a sweet little flounder as a sidekick and a singing, narrating Jamaican crab- SIGN ME UP!
But it’s not just the human world that’s a mess, Callie has a set destiny. She is the first of “her kind” in YEARS- now you’re crazy if you think I’m going to spoil what “kind” she is, so you can just move along from that.
I can’t even begin to describe how deliciously complicated this world is. There are merpeople and psirens. And with both good and evil, there is one heck of a story behind both of them, and of course they mingle right in the middle.
Okay- so here I am side stepping a bit. I am two years behind reading the debut of this amazing book, but I had read her newest book “The Opal Blade“. Usually it’s really weird “back reading”. I absolutely fell in love with Kristy Nicolle’s writing, especially her snark. While reading her debut novel (keep in mind I say debut, but it debuted 2 years ago) you can still see the foundation of snark and brilliant storytelling. I do feel that Nicolle “over” explained details, but for someone like me who uses their imagination constantly I didn’t mind whatsoever- I do know some people who don’t like that, but that’s what makes the world amazing in that there are no two people alike.
While reading this book, there are so many times where you feel you’re on a roller coaster. It’s not just building to the climax, reach the climax, and then level off. Oh no. She builds the tension, reaches the climax, drops you on your head, doesn’t even bother to fasten your seat belt and you are off again. What’s worse- the freaking book ends on a climax! I mean, it’s not worse, I plan on reading the entire series so I’m gearing up with a helmet so I can be properly dropped over and over again.
All in all, I cannot wait to continue with the Tidal Kiss trilogy. I am truly lucky that I am able to enjoy one right after the next. I guess that’s one way of getting out of waiting for each book to come out
Holy cow. Okay, let me just take a moment to clear and arrange my jumbled thoughts after that whirlwind of a story.
First of all, I have been in love with mermaids since I was a little girl. For years, whenever anyone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would tell them I was going to be a mermaid. It’s funny though, this is actually the first book about the mer-people that I have read and I’m beginning to wonder if any others could compare!
This author did such an amazing job at describing the setting. I was told that some people found it boring at times, because she did use so much description, but I didn’t find it boring at all. I thought it helped to build the story and let me see it through her eyes instead of trying to create the picture on my own. The details are so vivid and so clear, that you can’t help but wonder if where she got the images. (Is it possible that it’s based off fact? LOL. One could only hope! Being a mermaid would be awesome!)
We start our story by meeting Callie. She’s your typical teenager, dealing with all the typical, non-important things teenagers deal with. School, boys, stepparents, etc. But she always felt slightly different, like she never really quite fit in with everyone. Enter Orion, who’s kiss changes her entire future, leading her to her destiny. I’ve heard that many people don’t like him because he’s old-fashioned. Protective, overbearing, I found him endearing, though I didn’t like how he had a tendency to keep things from Callie.
This story was all about Callie adapting to her new life and her new home. Learning that there was more to her than meets the eye and finding out that, for once, she had a purpose, a very important purpose. What is that purpose, you ask? Well, you just have to read and find out for yourself.
This book is a part of an entire infiniverse that I can’t wait to get deeper into! It has the perfect amount of action, romance and fantasy to keep you wanting more! I don’t think I have one negative thing to say about this book, except maybe, HOLY CRAP WHAT AN ENDING! LOL.
Definitely 5 out of 5 stars for me!!! LOVED it!