Review: Florence by Ciye Cho

Book: Florence
By: Ciye Cho
Publisher: Self Published
Publication Date: July 1, 2012
NOTE: This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Description: Seventeen-year-old Florence Waverley is out of her depth. Literally. Kidnapped and taken below the waves to the mer world of Niemela, she is the ultimate gift for merman Prince Kiren: a human familiar tied to his side. But nothing is what it seems amid the beauty and danger of a dark ocean.


Every Niemelan has a role to play, from the mermaids who weave towers out of kelp to the warriors who fight sea monsters. But in trying to survive, Florence will end up in the middle of a war between the mer and the Darkness. A conflict that will push her between two brothers: Kiren, the charmer inexplicably drawn to both her and the monsters; and Rolan, the loner who has been pushing her away since the day they met. But in order to take a stand--and find out where she belongs--Florence will have to risk it all: her life, her heart... and her very soul.

My Thoughts: Florence was an interesting view into the world of mermaids and focused on the idea that living without a purpose isn't really living at all.

We begin the book following Florence, a 17 year old loner chick who would rather watch others live than join in herself. She enjoys taking pictures and observing lives around her and seems to be very perceptive. One day, while on a field trip, she swims out farther than the others and gets kidnapped by a mermaid and dragged into the ocean. Luckily, there are these things called breathing polyp's that allow humans to breathe under water or else she would have drowned.

In the underwater kingdom, Niemela, we meet Rolan and Kiren both gorgeous and sexy hunks of prince mermen. Kiren seems to instantly show an interest in Florence as does his younger sister Princess Yolee. Florence's presence isn't welcome by the king, but at the request of Yolee, she is allowed to stay as Yolee's friend/plaything. Yolee is the sweetest little girl. She's very lovable and innocent and loyal and fun loving and I just want to pull her into my lap and keep her safe from harm. Right off the bat we see that Florence is an outsider. No one wants to talk to her or be around her, especially Prince Rolan. He is outwardly hostile toward her and constantly reminds her that she is not welcome. Prince Kiren, however, seems entranced by Florence and seems to take an unusual interest in her. ***spoiler alert*** I was initially a little wary of him, and it seemed my wariness was supported as the book went on. Over the course of the book. I begin to love Rolan more and more, and hate Kiren, and as the book came to a close, I began rooting for Rolan. Eventually, Niemela is threatened by the darkness where the sea monsters come from, and the Wise ones. What happens as a result is quite interesting.

I didn't care much for the writing in the book. The author created a Niemelan language that we could understand, but I didn't like how it was the same but different for certain words. It just confused me and I'm probably confusing you with my explanation. It was kind of like if I said all of a sudden I could speak your language, but then you have words that are different and so I really cant speak your language. I also didn't like the fact that I was never really emotionally involved in the book. It was kind of like hearing something on the news about something that happened to someone in another state. "Wow that sucks, but in other news......" The characters seemed kind of flat, except Florence of course and I didn't really grow to understand them. I also didn't like how Florence all of a sudden gained all these convenient powers that helped her know all this information. It was just too convenient for my taste. I also wanted a bit more at the end. Like a bit of closure with the Niemelans. Perhaps there will be a sequel, but I wasn't given enough information to decide if I really wanted to find out what happened.

All in all, Florence was a good book. I'm not obsessed with it, but it was interesting and the descriptions and details about the underwater kingdom were interesting. If you're really into mermaids and their battles with the creatures around them, then this is the book for you. I give it 3 stars.