21 August 2012

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown


Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
Lies Beneath #1
Release Date: June 12, 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Source: Netgalley
Rating: Bland

Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans and absorb their positive energy. Usually, they select their victims at random, but this time around, the underwater clan chooses its target for a reason: revenge. They want to kill Jason Hancock, the man they blame for their mother's death.

It's going to take a concerted effort to lure the aquaphobic Hancock onto the water. Calder's job is to gain Hancock's trust by getting close to his family. Relying on his irresistible good looks and charm, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter Lily. Easy enough, but Calder screws everything up by falling in love--just as Lily starts to suspect there's more to the monster-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined, and just as the mermaids threaten to take matters into their own hands, forcing Calder to choose between them and the girl he loves.

One thing's for sure: whatever Calder decides, the outcome won't be pretty. - Goodreads

This was one of the most boring books I have ever read. I managed to finish it, but only because a) I got it for review and I always feel bad when I DNF review books and b) I already have a less than satisfactory DNF list for this year and I didn't want to add another.

The plot didn't draw me in in the slightest. The premise sounds interesting but it just fell flat. I can't even explain why it did, I was just so bored. I think it was probably to do with the characters.

Calder, the main male protagonist and the guy whose POV we get, was a complete idiot. He took to stalking the love interest, even taking it so far as to camp outside her house. And for some reason she fell for him. I don't get the attraction, to be honest. He's broody, tries to kill her dad and is just plain dull.

There was also some awkward non-incest in there (you'll understand if you've read it) that completely turned me off. I was already skimming at this point, but once I read that I just didn't feel the urge to try any more.

So yeah, this isn't the book for me. At all. I wasn't connected to the story, the characters or anything, and I certainly didn't like the protagonist. Sorry this review was a bit dull, but I really don't have much to say about it because, much like my review, Lies Beneath lacks substance.
The Lies Beneath series: 
1. Lies Beneath
2. Deep Betrayal (March 2013)

2 comments:

  1. omgg i cant believe you didnt enjoy it! Actually I can see why you didnt, it was o-kay for me as well.. but the beginning was actually interesting! Though i didnt like Calder as well.
    - Farah @MajiBookshelf

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  2. Sad to hear. The premise sounds so intriguing, especially how the mermaids are sort of energy-stealers instead of just happy go lucky Disney clones. Maybe the second book will pick up.

    C.J.
    Sarcasm&Lemons

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