Book Review: Wrecked by Anna Davies

Wrecked
Author: Anna Davies
Reading level: YA
Genre: Fantasy/Mermaids
Released: May 1st 2012
Review Source: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) Secrets of the sea have never been sexier than this. 

Ever since the death of her parents, Miranda has lived on Whym Island, taking comfort in the local folklore, which claims a mysterious sea witch controls the fate of all on the island and in its surrounding waters. Sometimes it’s just easier to believe things are out of your control.

But then a terrible boating accident takes the lives of several of her friends, and Miranda is rescued by a mysterious boy who haunts her dreams. Consumed by guilt from the accident, she finds refuge in late-night swims—and meets Christian, a boy who seems eerily familiar, but who is full of mystery: He won’t tell her where he is from, or why they can only meet at the beach. But Miranda falls for him anyway…and discovers that Christian’s secrets, though meant to protect her, may bring her nothing but harm.

Seductive and compelling, Wrecked brings a contemporary, paranormal twist to a classic enchanting tale.

Miranda is a teenage girl who lives with her brother and grandmother on Whim Island, after the loss of both of her parents as a child. She is popular and well-liked, until she’s involved in a tragic boating accident. With the loss of several young lives in the accident, most of the town blames Miranda because she was steering at the time. They are all suspicious as to how she survived. I just found that part of the story a little ridiculous. Every adult on the Island is on the same page and blame the accident on her. No one has any sympathy for the poor girl, who has just lost friends too.

She survived the accident because she was actually saved by a merman named Christian. He was breaking rules by surfacing and he was so drawn to her that he couldn’t stop himself from saving her. And only her. I found Christian’s character to be very one dimensional. As much as I tried to like him, I just didn’t connect with him at all throughout the story. As he and Miranda got to know each other and I suppose fell in love, I felt no sparks through the storyline. There wasn’t a significant moment for me where the characters evolved and I desired to know more about them.

The one thing I did like about “Wrecked” was the cover. The photo of Miranda and Christian surrounded by silvery splashes of water and the bright blue title was what drew me into wanting to read it. It’s very eye-catching. I simply wish the characters were a little more developed and like able, so that I could give the story a higher rating. Unless you just have some time to kill and want something light to read, I wouldn’t recommend this book.