Review: Sea Change by Aimee Friedman

Title: Sea Change
Author: Aimee Friedman
Publisher: Point
Pub. Date: 6.1.10
Genre: YA
Keywords: Mystery, Mermaids, Love, Family, Friendship, Secrets
Pages: 292
Description (from GoodReads):
16-year-old Miranda Merchant is great at science...and not so great with boys. After major drama with her boyfriend and (now ex) best friend, she's happy to spend the summer on small, mysterious Selkie Island, helping her mother sort out her late grandmother's estate.

There, Miranda finds new friends and an island with a mysterious, mystical history, presenting her with facts her logical, scientific mind can't make sense of. She also meets Leo, who challenges everything she thought she knew about boys, friendship...and reality.
Is Leo hiding something? Or is he something that she never could have imagined?

Aimee Friedman's SEA CHANGE is a quintessential summer beach read that features a big mystery and a dash of romance.

I have mixed feelings regarding Miranda, the main character. At times, I found her actions to be inconsistent and unwarranted, but, then again, she is only 16 and there's a lot going on in her life. The fact that Miranda has a scientific mind was a breath of fresh air. I love when my main characters are bookworms, but it was nice change. I think that Miranda's actions and attitude towards events and people would have been much different if she had been a reader and romantic like so many YA main characters are.

A good summer read always has a love story, so it's no surprise when Miranda meets, and falls for, the mysterious Leo. There is a bit of a love triangle and, while I think it was necessary for Miranda's growth, I felt for Leo. I felt like Miranda was silly for even considering someone other than Leo, but I think it made her face truths she would have avoided otherwise.

It's difficult for me to determine where SEA CHANGE belongs in the YA genre. It does have supernatural elements, so it isn't really contemporary fiction, but the supernatural elements, to be honest, aren't very prominent. There are hints of something mystical occuring, but it wasn't explored as much as I would have liked. For this reason, I think SEA CHANGE would definitely appeal to readers who are hesistant to read supernatural YA, but those who want a novel with strong supernatural elements may want to look elsewhere.

Grade: B

Cover Notes:
This cover fits the novel perfectly! It's gorgeous and I definitely approve of the models chosen to represent Leo and Miranda. 

Check out the guest post Aimee wrote for The Hiding Spot regarding her favorite summer reads... then enter for a chance to win her top 5 and your own copy of SEA CHANGE!

Contest: Aimee Friedman's Summer Reads Prize Pack!

Looking for the perfect summer reads? Aimee Friedman knows just the titles... and you have a chance to win all six novels here at The Hiding Spot!



Prize:
(1) Aimee’s Summer Reads prize pack, including paperback copies of Summer Boys, Rebecca, Something Borrowed, The Great Gatsby, The Princess Diaries and Sea Change!


How to Enter:
Fill out this FORM.


Extra Entries:
Not required. Extra entries are detailed on the entry form as well.
+4 Comment on Aimee's Guest Post.
+3 Tweet this contest. (Leave a link.)
+3 Link this contest on your sidebar, in a post, or on FB. (Leave a link.)


Details:
Contest will close July 14th 2010. Open to US and Canadian mailing addresses only. Sorry International readers!


Good luck!

All prizes dispensed by Big Honcho Media.

Guest Post: Aimee Friedman - Author of SEA CHANGE

Please welcome Aimee Friedman, author of SEA CHANGE, to The Hiding Spot. Her novel, which is full of romance, mermaids, and mystery, is perfect for a summer afternoon! Today, Aimee will share some of her favorite summer reads... and offer you a chance to win a prize pack of all 5 of her recommended reads and a copy of SEA CHANGE as well! Be sure to swing by La Femme Readers on Thursday for the next stop of Aimee’s blog tour!

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A Brief Bio

Aimee Friedman is the New York Times bestselling author of several books for young adults, including South Beach, French Kiss, Hollywood Hills, A Novel Idea, and, most recently, The Year My Sister Got Lucky. Born and raised in Queens, New York, Aimee attended the Bronx High School of Science, but she always wanted to be a writer, never a scientist. Though she does not know how to swim, she loves living on the island of Manhattan, where she also works as a book editor.

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Ice cream trucks on the corner, flip-flops on your feet, a lazy hammock swaying in the breeze… There are many pleasures of summer, but the greatest one may be having the time and leisure to read a really good book. You recline on your beach chair, prop a juicy paperback open on your knees, and sink into another world.


Of course, you don’t want anything too heavy or serious to interfere with the sunshine and mellow mood. It’s hard to choose, but here I present to you my top 5 summer reads:


• Summer Boys by Hailey Abbott
The first of a breezy, addictive YA series, this book should practically come with its own bottle of sunscreen. Three cousins spend a summer on the seashore in Maine, complete with heartache, bikinis, bonfires, and plenty of drama.


• Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
A summer romance that starts on the French Riviera and continues into the English countryside…and carries with it a seriously spine-tingling mystery. Something a little darker, for those thunderstorm days.


• Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
Pure, delicious chick-lit, about two best friends and the betrayal that tears them apart one summer in New York City.


• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
I know, I know. It’s potentially something you have to read in school…but it’s also a gorgeously written story of love, murder, and money set in the glamorous roaring ‘20s. One of my all-time favorites, in any season.

• The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
Be prepared to laugh so hard you’ll spit out your iced latte. This modern YA classic about a city girl who discovers she’s actually a princess is total escapist fun.


To see more of what I’ve read/am reading, friend-request me on Goodreads.


What are YOUR top summer reads? I hope Sea Change is on your list…

XO
Aimee

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Sea Change

Sixteen-year-old Miranda Merchant is great at science...and not so great with boys. After major drama with her (now ex) boyfriend, she's happy to be spending the summer on small, mysterious Selkie Island, helping her mother sort out her late grandmother's estate.

On the lush, beautiful island, Miranda finds new friends and a community with a mystical history, presenting her with facts her logical, scientific mind can't make sense of. She also meets Leo, who challenges everything she thought she knew about boys, romance...and reality.


Is Leo hiding something? Or is he something that she never could have imagined?

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Interested in spending your summer reading SEA CHANGE and Aimee's favorite lazy day picks?

One lucky winner will receive Aimee’s Summer Reads prize pack, including paperback copies of Summer Boys, Rebecca, Something Borrowed, The Great Gatsby, The Princess Diaries and Sea Change!

Check out the details HERE.