This was my first DNF of 2024.
I really wanted to this, but I just really couldn’t get into it unfortunately.
This is a YA book but didn’t read as YA.
The general plot is good but it was just to childish for my liking.
I’m so sorry

Thanks Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest reviewarc3 s Iresha Jayasinghe51

A 3.8 rounded up to a 4.

“An unsolved murder of a mermaid queen. A shattered stone pendant cursed and lost. A kingdom’s existence in peril”

The story revolves around Zoe, who’s dreams to be an Olympic swimmer were shattered by jealous team mates. On the day she had planned to leave in hopes of finding her dreams elsewhere, sparks fly with Baxter, her mythology professor revealing who Zoe really was; the reincarnated mermaid queen. The story unravels when Zoe and Baxter (her guardian) try to find the late queen’s murderer while going on a quest to find the shattered stone pieces. Will they be able to find the murderer and fuse the stone pieces together to save Zoe’s mer kingdom? Will they be able to conquer their differences with true love?

I loved learning about mermaids, the different powers they have and the mythologies surrounding them. I also really loved the demon mer queen, Lil who’s morally grey and had very interesting character traits. The characters, storyline, concept, adventure and mystery were engaging. However, I did struggle with some parts and had to go back and forth to understand. The reasoning and description around the murder and subsequent events were somewhat unclear to me. I also felt Zoe is annoying sometimes and that the spice (one scene) was unnatural and forced. I do believe the story would have been more entertaining if the length was reduced by polishing some parts. Overall it was an enjoyable read.

I received an ARC of the book in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are of my own. arcs books-i-own3 s Meg100 2

This book brought me back to what it was when I was a little kid in the pool playing mermaids with my friends. I loved everything about this book, it’s got adventure, it’s got romance, betrayal, murder, and best of all mermaids and magic! This is the kind of book I fantasized about reading as a kid. I highly recommend this book, the author has a way of setting up multiple worlds all within this one world and it’s done so well. Plus, everything is explained in an easy to understand and keep up with way. The only complaint I had was that there wasn’t really that much of the romance between Zoe and Baxter shown, I definitely would have loved to see that. But if you mermaids, this is definitely the book to read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.3 s 4loveofbooksnkc 161 5

I enjoyed this novel. It was definitely filled with action, and I d how the story flowed together and your able to keep up with all the characters that were tied into this storyline. Definitely a great read and I enjoyed it.3 s Susan King59

The mermaid queen of the Pacific Ocean is murdered. With her last breath, she casts a spell to protect her underwater kingdom until the next successor can be found, but the spell has an expiration date. It's up to Zoe, a college student, and Baxter, her Humanities professor, to find the murderer and save the mermaid kingdom from ruin.

The novel started out very choppy. There was very little character or situational development. The reader meets the characters, and then moves right into the quest. I would’ve d to learn a little bit more about Zoe before jumping into the main story line.

It wasn’t deep or thought provoking. The reader knew exactly what was happening and when. Unfortunately, there was also a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes throughout the entire novel.

There was a part near the end that was a nod to a very well known mermaid story making it a complete let down for me. It was a little too cliche. I really d the premise of this story, and I am glad that I read it. The riddles were fun to read through and try to decipher. The author did a great job describing the underwater world.

This book was offered by #netgalley for an honest review. The book was listed as a NA/Fantasy novel. There are a couple of non-graphic sexual scenes, but the writing reads more as middle age. I would recommend this book as a middle age or fan-fiction novel after some more editing. 2 s Katharina114 3

Pacific Tails is the first book in a duology by Michelle Sauer. It is about Zoe, a gifted swimmer who is ready to change her live and move across the country after relentless bullying by her teammates. But right before her flight her mythology professor Baxter confesses to her that she is the reincarnation of the mermaid queen of the pacific ocean. To restore her as rightful queen they have to find 5 stones and only have about a month of time left. So the suspenseful hunt after the stones begins. Will they find all the stones in time?

I absolutely loved Pacific Tails! It's a fast paced and suspenseful story with interesting characters and a nice love story. Once I started reading I couldn't stop. I am so excited for the story to continue in the second book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.arc2 s Kristin Keele214 4

Adventurous, engrossing, magical. An unsolved murder of a mermaid queen. A shattered stone pendant cursed and lost. A kingdom’s existence in peril. Pacific Tails is action packed, with great world building and character development. This story brings you to a new world and was beautifully written. I am a sucker for a story with mermaids and would recommend this book to others.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, and I have chosen to leave a review voluntarily and honestly.2 s Audrey Coulombe95 4

This book has everything you need in a novel. It has adventure, danger, suspense, history, romance, comedy, sarcasm, character building, and a world the reader can get fully engrossed in. This book takes place in the late 90's. I loved all the tidbits of nostalgia and hidden easter eggs in the book. I want more of Zoe and her friends stories. I was lucky to receive this book as an ARC. This is my honest review. I am hoping this book turns into a series.2 s Darby Reeder1 review1 follower

I enjoyed this book! I was given an Advanced Reader Copy. I thought the story was cohesive and intriguing, definitely enough puzzle solving to make it enjoyable for me, but the twists weren’t so far fetched that they were unbelievable. My only critique is that some of the action scenes felt rushed and a little hard to follow, but other than that I thought it was a really great read! Will definitely be waiting for a sequel! 2 s Piper3

Loved this book! Totally brought me back into my mermaid obsession. The characters were so interesting in and of themselves, when you add in the scenery and the plot you just can’t lose.
And finally, although i was so kindly gifted the ARC i thoroughly enjoyed this read, and definitely would’ve paid for it myself if i had not been blessed 2 s Sam1 review

This book is non stop! I love the fantasy adventure it takes you on while including the real world. Michelle Sauer's writing is so captivating that it makes you feel you are a part of the story. mermaids, romance, power and action? Then you will love this book!2 s Alexandra Posadas71

While I thought this book was just okay, it was just not for me.

I REALLY wanted to love this book. I've been on the hunt for a mermaid book that didn't feel too childish, but yet again this felt I was reading about a teenager and I had such a hard time relating to it. Most stories about teenagers are coming of age stories, and I don't mind stories about them if they're written well, and the writing just fell flat for me.

I know the main character is meant to be just out of college, but a lot of her actions and reactions to things felt so juvenile and dramatic. She is supposed to be the queen of the pacific ocean, and she acted so immature at times. She couldn't even talk through her feelings, how is she supposed to run a kingdom? I had a hard time believing much of the story, because a lot of the solutions felt so convenient. of course they would have a power to fix something complicated.

Also, the reveal about who the villain was, felt so easy. I knew the minute we meet that person.

All in all, it was just okay for me. I did receive this as an ARC for free in exchange for an honest review. The parts I did enjoy about the book were the imagery of the underwater and her kingdom, everything sounded so decadent and lovely. Also there was a plot line where they had to travel out of the country and I enjoyed that part and how that was wrapped up.
1 Kyla Walker13 6 Read

Get ready to immerse yourself in the spellbinding world of "Pacific Tails," the inaugural installment of Michelle Sauer's thrilling duology. In a poignant twist of fate, Zoe, seeking escape from relentless bullying in California, is on the verge of boarding a plane to Connecticut when her mythology professor, Baxter, drops a bombshell: she is the reincarnation of a betrayed and murdered mermaid queen. Eager to distance herself from painful memories, Zoe is unexpectedly thrust into an extraordinary adventure, embarking on a quest to recover the 5 missing pieces of a mermaid pendant with Baxter. Their race against time unfolds with heart-pounding intensity.

I was utterly spellbound by "Pacific Tails"! This narrative unfolds with breakneck speed and a tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It masterfully encompasses all the essential elements of a literary masterpiece. It takes readers on a spine-tingling adventure, delving into impending danger, gripping suspense, rich historical tapestries, a sizzling love affair, humor that elicits laughter, sarcasm that stings, and character arcs that mesmerize. The world-building is immersive to the hilt.

This review is given of my own volition, and I had the privilege of receiving an advance review copy at no cost.1 Ariana Espinosa 1 review

This book was a really fun read that included a variety of different characters. It was interesting finding out about what each mermaid is capable of with their powers! I thought it was pretty neat how the story takes you to different locations in California. It really brought me back to my childhood!!1 Geneva Roa103 2


Thank you to Michelle Sauer and NetGalley for giving me an e-copy of this book.

"An unsolved murder of a mermaid queen. A shattered stone pendant cursed and lost. A kingdom's existence in peril.
All of it, dependent on a college student and gifted swimmer, Zoe Vaughn, who thinks her life is falling apart.
Jealous teammates have accused Zoe of using performance enhancing drugs, sinking her dreams of competing in the Olympics. Now, as their relentless bullying continues, she's ready to uproot her life in California and move across the country.
But hours before Zoe's flight, something happens that changes those plans forever. Sparks literally fly between her and Baxter, her mythology professor, who confronts Zoe with the truth that her incredible talent beneath the water has a supernatural explanation.
Baxter declares that Zoe is the living reincarnation of Melantha - Mermaid Queen of the Pacific Ocean - who was betrayed and murdered nearly a century earlier. He also claims to be Melantha's guardian - an immortal tasked with reuniting five sacred stones that can restore Zoe as the rightful queen before her kingdom is lost forever.
But the time to do that is running out, as there are sinister forces who'll stop at nothing to prevent the Mermaid Queen's return. With her life on the line, Zoe must work with Baxter to find all five stones scattered between land and sea and fulfill her destiny - or condemn her mermaid kin to enslavement for all eternity.
Pacific Tails is a new adult, fast-paced urban fantasy adventure that is set in a world where myths intertwine with reality. Ride the wave of a thrilling mystery and quest-based novel, filled with mermaids and other unexpected creatures such as immortals, ghosts, demons, and werewolves."

I love this book, I can't get to the next one. This was so easy to read and I was hooked from the first chapter. It is very captivating.1 Heather Barbre5

Mermaids, murder, mystery with a side of a treasure hunt and a smudge of romance, what could be better. Oh did I mention the mermaids?
I was super excited to receive this ARC read, my son says way more excited than I should have be, but oh well.
As a child I was not the little girl that wanted to be princess or ballerina. No, I wanted to be a dolphin, a mermaid, or a fish of any kind really and Michelle Sauer captured that perfectly in the Pacific Tails.
If I could rate this a 6 stars out of 5, I would! I may be a small bit bias because I want to be mermaid but this is hands down the best book I have read all year.
Pacific Tails follows Zoe and Baxter during their trials and travels in trying to restore the reincarnated mermaid queen who was murdered almost 100 yrs ago. A murder that has remained unsolved.
Baxter who was made a guardian after the queens murder is now a college mythology professor. Zoe is a student who is trying to escape a life that is somewhat falling apart and her life plans has changed. She is trying to take her last final exam so she can board a plane and head off to Yale, however there was a last minute department meeting for Baxter and he has to reschedule his final exams. Zoe confronts Baxter and sparks fly when he touches her shoulder, he immediately knows who she is. He now has to convince her she is the reincarnated mermaid queen.
They go on a journey to find all the pieces of the mermaids queen pendant that shattered after the queen said a spell to be reincarnated. Zoe meets a lot of mermaid friends a long the way.
The plot twist in this book kept me on the edge, I have never rooted and cheered for a book character so loudly!
The descriptiveness of the colors and the way Michelle layout things Zoe felt made me feel it was happening to me.1 De_Boekenplank_van_Floor83

“Most fairy tales are stories. Some are real”

Het leven van Zoe gaat niet over rozen, zo werd ze uit het zwemteam gezet na onterechte verdenking van het gebruik van verboden middelen, iets wat haar vroegere teamgenoten haar niet kunnen vergeven. Klaar met het gedoe, besluit ze terug te gaan naar haar ouders, maar voordat ze dat doet gaat ze nog langs bij haar studiebegeleider Baxter. Die meeting verandert alles.

Zoe’s leven verandert in een rollercoaster wanneer ze erachter komt dat ze de reïncarnatie is van de, honderd jaar eerder gestorven, zeemeermin koningin van de Pacific-Tails (een van de koninkrijken in de Pacific Ocean). Baxter blijkt veel meer dan alleen docent en studiebegeleider, hij is haar beschermer: uitgekozen vanwege zijn pure hart, om te zorgen dat de rechtmatige koningin van de Pacific Tails, haar plaats in zal nemen.

Samen met Zoe en Baxter wordt je meegesleurd de diepte in en de wereld over, op zoek naar de verloren stenen van het medaillon van Melantha, de vorige koningin. Ondertussen ontrafelt zich ook een whodunnit, waarbij Zoe en Baxter steeds dichter bij de waarheid rondom de moord op Melantha komen. Zou het hen lukken om voor de deadline van exact honderd jaar, alle stenen te verzamelen en Zoe op de troon te krijgen?

Te midden van de rollercoaster van magische gebeurtenissen groeien Baxter en Zoe steeds meer naar elkaar toe. Komt dat door hun band als beschermer en koningin? Of is hier sprake van ontluikende liefde?

Laat je meeslepen in dit prachtige verhaal vol magie, romantiek, avontuur en vooral heel veel spanning! Zoals Michelle Sauer haar boek zelf introduceert: “Now, time to check out of reality and enter my altered reality where magic, creatures, ancient beings, and the paranormal co-exist with us, mere mortals.”
1 Ashley escapewithashe11 3

This novel was nourishment for my inner child. As a kid, I loved supernatural creatures mermaids, werewolves, vampires, etc. I especially enjoyed when they would interact and the nuances of those interactions.
Pacific Tails hit the ground running with an engaging delivery and real-life setting. The MC starts out thinking she's an ordinary girl and finds out she is something other; this can be tricky to handle. In some books, they accept it entirely too quickly to be believable, OR they spend an unbearable amount of time in denial despite apparent clues. In Pacific Tails, the MC has a fair amount of skepticism about the supernatural that feels believable.
I do feel at points the topic jumped around a bit without a direct connection to the plot or influencing the overall "completeness" of the story. Sometimes it felt things were added without a clear-cut direction which made me feel there were a few loose ends.
Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and its twists and turns. I love when a story gets my wheels turning, asking questions "what if" and theorizing about the mystery at hand. The mermaid lore was very thorough and Sauer clearly did her research about these creatures.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 1 Miska Reads93 4

Great Premise!

I loved this mermaid tale (hehehe, get it?!). It was cute, a fast read, and the author clearly put a lot of care into the mythology that she used in order to write the story.

I was worried about reading this at first, because even though the topic is in my list of interests, some of the details of the characters were not, and some were too close (I have a B.A. in History and Africana studies). But my fears were for nothing- I did enjoy the details, and I learned some about California! Which is not a state I have been to.

I do have some constructive criticisms, but they did not keep me from enjoying this book. I would to see less passive language, and more active language. I would love it if the characters were deeper developed and if the action wasn't quite so front loaded without enough detail to really hook me in. It took me a minute to be invested in the story, but I became invested, and that's when the pages just started to fly by!

I hope this is the first of a series, because there is so much opportunity for so many of the other characters (Farah?!) to have their own story.

Thank you for a wonderful read! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.1 Cassie Anderson29 1 follower

I did get this book as an ARC, but in no way does that affect my opinion about the book

Pacific Tails was amazing. Urban fantasy mermaid meets murder mystery!

A little spice, a lot of mystery, and a whole lot more discovery makes this one of a kind
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