The Mers by Ami Blackwelder

Format: Kindle ebook
Published: October 19, 2011
Publisher: CreateSpace
Genre: YA Fantasy, Dystopian

Description:

The Mers: What lies beneath the surface? One hundred years from now, the world has changed and brought with it, new forms of life. Who are the Mers? Who is Mira? Mira always knew she was different. Growing up with Mers, she never quite fit in. When Mira breaks the rules and takes Niren with heracross the border dividing Ellis Island and New Jersey, the border dividing two vastly different worlds, she thought the journey to find out who she really is would be an easy one. But, as the world in Jersey proves to be a convoluted mix of aristocrats who hate the Mers, pirates who want to sell them, and magi who want to use them...finding her true identity will be a challenge, especially when her best friend Niren is a Mer willing to fight to the death.

Review:

The Mers was a very interesting and exciting novel! It combines two of my very favorite genres and blends them into an enchanting story. Ami Blackwelder writes a mermaid dystopian that is a combination of action and romance that is extremely fast-paced from the very first page and never stops until the end.

I was a little surprised at how Ami Blackwelder described the dystopian world because it seemed so realistic. Often times dystopian worlds can seem a bit far-fetched, but this seemed entirely plausible and her description of how the Mers' appearances evolved was plausible as well. Seeing as how they are not the "traditional" mermaids, this made the story fresh and exciting.

Mira and Nerin are both very strong characters that you really grow to love as you get to know them. Their personalities balance each other perfectly and you want to see them succeed in their adventure so badly! Mira's hunt for her birth parents sends her, Nerin, and his sister Nerissa into the world of Remnantville, a place where Mers are hunted and killed, their bodies used to make products for the Aristos. The three of them must stay safe, unravel the mystery behind Mira's identity, and possibly save the Mers all at the same time.

Ami Blackwelder's writing is very vivid and colorful. She paints a picture with her words that leaves readers with a gorgeous image of the sea and the creatures inside it. The action inside this novel will leave readers turning the pages long into the night. While the story had a good resolution in my opinion, I can definitely see how the next two books will add so much more to the series. This is a brilliant start!!

Rate: 4/5

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The Mers Halloween Giveaway Winners!!

Good morning everyone!! Thank you to everyone who joined in and entered The Mers Giveaway! I hope you all enjoyed the interview with author, Ami Blackwelder! The 2 winners were chosen at random and are:

International (eBook): Nat
US (print book): A Backwards Story

Since both winners provided email addresses in their comments, you have both been contacted. Please get back to me as soon as possible if I requested more information from you so we can get your book to you quickly! I hope everyone had fun with this giveaway and look forward to holding another one soon!!

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Ami Blackwelder's The Mers HALLOWEEN Interview + Giveaway!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!

Today we are happy to have with us the lovely Ami Blackwelder, author of the new mermaid dystopian novel, The Mers, which releases TODAY!!

So to celebrate the release of The Mers and Halloween, Ami has lots of fun planned!

First of all, so this is more fun, here is the synopsis for The Mers:

A Mermaid Dystopian...out now!
The Mers:
What lies beneath the surface?
One hundred years from now, the world has
changed and brought with it, new forms of life.
Who are the Mers? Who is Mira?

Mira always knew she was different. Growing up with Mers, she never quite fit in. When Mira breaks the rules and takes Niren with heracross the border dividing Ellis Island and New Jersey, the border dividing two vastly different worlds, she thought the journey to find out who she really is would be an easy one.

But, as the world in Jersey proves to be a convoluted mix of aristocrats who hate the Mers, pirates who want to sell them, and magi who want to use them...finding her true identity will be a challenge, especially when her best friend Niren is a Mer willing to fight to the death.

Now that you are thoroughly curious (right?), Ami Blackwelder has also provided us with an interview so we can learn more about her inspiration for The Mers and a little about her as an author! Here is my interview with Ami:

Destiny: How did you come up with the idea to write a mermaid dystopian novel?

Ami: I was inspired by watching Waterworld one evening and I thought what a cool concept, but so much I would have done differently. Then I thought about interesting it would due if this water world comprised of different species that evolved because of it and how humans reacted to that. I stayed with that concept for awhile and tried to work in some paranormal elements, mermaids, powers of the sea and came up with what you will have to read to find out... :)

Destiny: Was it originally one or the other and it somehow morphed into a combination of the two?

Ami: It began as both a story about in the future where our world has gone and also about a new species....but my story is not your typical mermaid story.

Destiny: Will this be a stand alone novel or will we get to see more of these characters down the line?

Ami: I thought it was a stand alone, solo novel. Then at the end one of my characters did something I kept in the back of my mind. I wasn't sure yet if he would do this or not. I wanted the novel to end so I could get to my next novel....but the character demanded more story and so I will have a sequel Ethan's Empire and a last novel Mira Rising.

Destiny: Did you have any special moments while writing this novel or any significant struggles?

Ami: I simply adore this imaginative world my characters live in with magi, aristos, pirates, mers, and more. It truly is unique.

Destiny: Did the rise of the popularity of the dystopian genre influence your subject or was this something you had been wanting to write beforehand?

Ami: My interest was striking because I love dystopian and after watching Waterworld. I didn't even know dystopian was on the rise until after I wrote it.

Destiny: Have you always been a fan of paranormal/fantasy?

Ami: YES! I loved Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Twilight Zone, and so many more!

Destiny: Since we are planning a special event featuring your novel, The Mers, on our blog for Halloween, is this a particular favorite holiday of yours? Do you dress up?

Ami: YES! I love Halloween and will be dressing up as a shifter from my Shifter Evolutions saga. In fact I'm going as April/Wolf. I will try to send you a pic of me that day if you want to post it live that day! That could be fun :)

Destiny: AND I have pictures of Ami in costume!!

(Isn't that a FANTASTIC costume?!?!)

Destiny: Do you have anything else you would like to add?

Ami: Everyone is really impressed by my stories. Often people have told me that they didn't think they would like my story because they don't like scifi or they don't like paranormal...but then they read it and are hooked. That is always a good sign and feeling!

Destiny: Thank you so much for a wonderful interview Ami!!

And now Ami has been extremely generous and has decided to offer a Halloween GIVEAWAY!!

Ami is giving away:

ONE copy of The Mers to a US winner
ONE ebook copy of The Mers to an International winner

To enter: Leave a comment on THIS POST telling her why you want to read The Mers, thank her for the giveaway, and be sure to tell if you are US or International!! Winners will be chosen at random from valid entries. Giveaway will end Friday, November 4th and winners will be announced soon after! You will then be given instructions on how to redeem your prize.

Also, don't forget to visit Ami on her blog!


Buy a copy of The Mers here:
Amazon (Kindle)
Amazon (Book)
AmazonUK (Kindle)
B&N (Nook)

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