FAN MAIL
I really liked the world you created with the Mers! I only received
the first book... is there a second book before this final one?
-Ford
Yes, there is and it should be out at the end of 2014 Sorry for the delay!
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Fan Mail, from Darlene
FAN MAIL
I loved the Mers #1 and am trying to find the Kindle version for the second in the series. Am I looking in the wrong places?
While waiting to see what happens to my new favorite mermaid I ordered your Bundle of the Dystopia Shifter series. I am turning into an Ami Blackwelder fan! Anyway, I filled out the form on GoodReads for that bundle book. Hopefully I didn't goof it up. I used the information on the Amazon page where I bought it.
Anyway, good luck in your writing career!
Cheers,
-Darlene
Fan Mail from Terri
FAN MAIL
I just got finished with your book Mers. I really liked the book! I am looking forward to book #2! I want to know what is going on with Edith and Ethan. I hope they aren’t bad! Thank you!
-Terri
Fan Mail from Coleen
FAN MAIL
I just finished your Ebook "Mers" I really enjoyed it. I was trying to join your newsletter but couldn't find a link for it. Could you help me out with that please?
-Coleen
Fan Mail from Lisa
FAN MAIL
I just finished "Mers" and totally loved it... I am looking forward to the sequel "Ethan's Empire" ... Thanks for writing such a great story!!
-Lisa
Fan Mail from Jessica
FAN MAIL
(MERS) I really liked the whole concept of the story. I got sucked right into it and couldn't put it down.
-Jessica
Review from Mandie @ Goodreads
from Mandie @ Goodreads
I was super excited to win Mers because I've recently gotten hooked on mermaid books. I found the concept unique and fascinating, I had a hard time putting it down to do real life stuff. I really found Mira easy to connect with, she's likable with a good heart which is something I love in a character plus she's also a little kick-ass. I found the story well written, it flows smoothly, and the characters are well developed. I like the idea of the Mers I can see it happening if things were to change which brings on the question maybe we do have mermaids in the water. Mer's really played to my imagination and I loved that so much. I loved it and can't wait for the next one.
I was super excited to win Mers because I've recently gotten hooked on mermaid books. I found the concept unique and fascinating, I had a hard time putting it down to do real life stuff. I really found Mira easy to connect with, she's likable with a good heart which is something I love in a character plus she's also a little kick-ass. I found the story well written, it flows smoothly, and the characters are well developed. I like the idea of the Mers I can see it happening if things were to change which brings on the question maybe we do have mermaids in the water. Mer's really played to my imagination and I loved that so much. I loved it and can't wait for the next one.
Review from Michelle at Goodreads
from Michelle @ Goodreads
This book is so unique. It's a mermaid story and a dystopian all in one. Plus there are really cool powers involved. This book has it all, but it never seems like too much. The story all fits together really nicely. I read this book in one sitting- I was that absorbed in the book.
Mira was pretty cool. I thought she handled everything so well. If I were that noticeably different than all the people in my community, it would be hard. It probably helped having a friend like Niren though. He is the definition of loyalty, and we all know how much I love my loyal characters! He was so sweet, and cute when he was trying to get Mira's attention.
I would have liked a little more character development on some of the secondary characters. There were probably close to 10 main players in the book, but only Mira and Niren were really fleshed out. The others were a little flat at times. They were likable though and they played pretty good roles in the story, I just would have liked to get to know them a little better.
The story really picks up when Mira goes into the mainland in search of something. She gets a dose of harsh reality of what the world is really like, and of course, being the kick butt heroine that she is, she just has to try and save the day. The Mers has tons of action and plot twists to keep you on the edge of your seat. And then when some powers start to show up in the book, it gets super cool! I really enjoyed the story. I can't wait to see what is going to happen next!
This book is so unique. It's a mermaid story and a dystopian all in one. Plus there are really cool powers involved. This book has it all, but it never seems like too much. The story all fits together really nicely. I read this book in one sitting- I was that absorbed in the book.
Mira was pretty cool. I thought she handled everything so well. If I were that noticeably different than all the people in my community, it would be hard. It probably helped having a friend like Niren though. He is the definition of loyalty, and we all know how much I love my loyal characters! He was so sweet, and cute when he was trying to get Mira's attention.
I would have liked a little more character development on some of the secondary characters. There were probably close to 10 main players in the book, but only Mira and Niren were really fleshed out. The others were a little flat at times. They were likable though and they played pretty good roles in the story, I just would have liked to get to know them a little better.
The story really picks up when Mira goes into the mainland in search of something. She gets a dose of harsh reality of what the world is really like, and of course, being the kick butt heroine that she is, she just has to try and save the day. The Mers has tons of action and plot twists to keep you on the edge of your seat. And then when some powers start to show up in the book, it gets super cool! I really enjoyed the story. I can't wait to see what is going to happen next!
Review from Bailee @ Goodreads
from Bailee @ Goodreads
There is something about The Mers by Ami Blackwelder that is enchanting. The uniqueness of the story and the way that this race as well as the human race is written draws you in. You can't help but fall in love with the characters as they journey through an adventure to discover just who Mira really is.
Ami Blackwelder captures the earnest desire of Mira's to understand who or rather what she is. All Mira knows is that she's different from the Mers who raised her. Is she like anyone else out there? It is this unquenchable desire that drives this book to its pinnacle and places anyone that Mira holds dear in danger. Especially Niren, her best friend and love interest.
I adore how the author captured the human race with all of its darkness coming into play throughout this tell. But where there is darkness, there is also light. You will come to hate and love the different humans that play a part in this book. There are those that would kill to find a Mer, only to kill the Mer later, and those that will be the greatest help to Mira in her quest to save her friend and return to the home she took for granted.
It's a wonderful book. It's unique and beautiful.
There is something about The Mers by Ami Blackwelder that is enchanting. The uniqueness of the story and the way that this race as well as the human race is written draws you in. You can't help but fall in love with the characters as they journey through an adventure to discover just who Mira really is.
Ami Blackwelder captures the earnest desire of Mira's to understand who or rather what she is. All Mira knows is that she's different from the Mers who raised her. Is she like anyone else out there? It is this unquenchable desire that drives this book to its pinnacle and places anyone that Mira holds dear in danger. Especially Niren, her best friend and love interest.
I adore how the author captured the human race with all of its darkness coming into play throughout this tell. But where there is darkness, there is also light. You will come to hate and love the different humans that play a part in this book. There are those that would kill to find a Mer, only to kill the Mer later, and those that will be the greatest help to Mira in her quest to save her friend and return to the home she took for granted.
It's a wonderful book. It's unique and beautiful.
Review from Detiny @ Goodreads
from Destiny @ Goodreads
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!!
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!!
Review from Blog Critic
from BlogCritics
Article first published as Book Review:The Mers by Ami Blackwelder on Blogcritics.
Knowing who you are and believing in yourself are what most believe create that inner feeling of completeness and possibly even happiness. For those who do not know of their familial background, a quest for information almost always begins.
In The Mers by Ami Blackwelder, the author takes us into such a situation, one our heroine, Mira, can only guess at. Living among the Mers, a people that have evolved after the Great Deluge, she understands she is not like them. They have gills and webbed appendages, while she is not comfortable in the water and is not equipped with the standard gills or webs. Her hair is another stand out, it is bright cherry red and is not like that of any of her friends. Nonetheless she knows she is loved and she loves her friends and family with abandon. She just feels a little like an outcast because she is not like anyone else she knows. She thinks she may be more like the humans, but they are bad and she does not want to think about them. They are dangerous and want nothing more than to destroy the Mers.
After the flood, necessity caused many changes and when adaptions such as the Mers possessed came to light it created fear and distrust. War ensued and after peace was brokered, the Mers were allowed to live their lives on Liberty Shore, the former Ellis Island, away from the humans. The Humans kept New Jersey and life became more peaceful. The treaty worked for many years, but things were beginning to change. Strange water waves and dangerous sea creatures were now in evidence and threatening the lives and existence of the Mers. While lives were lost among the Mers, it was the disappearances that were the most disturbing. Life was becoming unbearable. Pirates were raiding their shores looking for bounty but kidnapping Mers as well. What was behind this new and sinister danger?
As the danger creeps even closer, Mira learns a small piece of her past. She is a foundling, and her adopted parents believe she is human. They want only what is best for her and fear for her safety. Mira decides to break the rules and she and her best friend Nerin cross the border that separates these two entities in an effort to find the answers she is searching for. Is she really prepared for the answers? What they discover is both shocking and horrifying; they must find a way to warn the Mers, but how? They have been captured, but there is something very strange happening to Mira, she seems to be gaining the ability to do small bits of mind control. When they are helped by the Kings own son to escape, they find themselves in a fight for their lives to save their family and friends. Even as this evil is raging on, Mira learns part of the truth of her past. Can she live with what she learns of who she is?
Blackwelder has given us a dystopian world and created a society of different people that have become survivors. As with all societies she has built in the pettishness, and jealousy, as well as the fear of those who are different. Through it all she has weaved a gentle twist of romance and hope, and a love of family.
Her characters create feelings in the reader, the mostly gentle ways of the Mer draw you to them, yet their strength makes you understand their capabilities. The Humans have their own foibles and while most are caring and loving, the class system that is in place separates them too much. The distinctions are too extreme causing a feudal system with a King that has proclaimed his power. Blackwelder has given us a wicked Monarch that is easy to dislike, one who also has something to hide. Not because he is ashamed but because he plans to win at all costs.
If you enjoy end of the world scenarios, as well as mystery, romance and danger you will enjoy The Mers. There is beauty and abundance littered with hope. But betrayal raises the stakes and the adventure keeps you reading to find out how the Mers can survive, or even if they will.
This book was received as a free download from the author. All opinions are my own based on my reading and understanding of the material.
Article first published as Book Review:The Mers by Ami Blackwelder on Blogcritics.
Knowing who you are and believing in yourself are what most believe create that inner feeling of completeness and possibly even happiness. For those who do not know of their familial background, a quest for information almost always begins.
In The Mers by Ami Blackwelder, the author takes us into such a situation, one our heroine, Mira, can only guess at. Living among the Mers, a people that have evolved after the Great Deluge, she understands she is not like them. They have gills and webbed appendages, while she is not comfortable in the water and is not equipped with the standard gills or webs. Her hair is another stand out, it is bright cherry red and is not like that of any of her friends. Nonetheless she knows she is loved and she loves her friends and family with abandon. She just feels a little like an outcast because she is not like anyone else she knows. She thinks she may be more like the humans, but they are bad and she does not want to think about them. They are dangerous and want nothing more than to destroy the Mers.
After the flood, necessity caused many changes and when adaptions such as the Mers possessed came to light it created fear and distrust. War ensued and after peace was brokered, the Mers were allowed to live their lives on Liberty Shore, the former Ellis Island, away from the humans. The Humans kept New Jersey and life became more peaceful. The treaty worked for many years, but things were beginning to change. Strange water waves and dangerous sea creatures were now in evidence and threatening the lives and existence of the Mers. While lives were lost among the Mers, it was the disappearances that were the most disturbing. Life was becoming unbearable. Pirates were raiding their shores looking for bounty but kidnapping Mers as well. What was behind this new and sinister danger?
As the danger creeps even closer, Mira learns a small piece of her past. She is a foundling, and her adopted parents believe she is human. They want only what is best for her and fear for her safety. Mira decides to break the rules and she and her best friend Nerin cross the border that separates these two entities in an effort to find the answers she is searching for. Is she really prepared for the answers? What they discover is both shocking and horrifying; they must find a way to warn the Mers, but how? They have been captured, but there is something very strange happening to Mira, she seems to be gaining the ability to do small bits of mind control. When they are helped by the Kings own son to escape, they find themselves in a fight for their lives to save their family and friends. Even as this evil is raging on, Mira learns part of the truth of her past. Can she live with what she learns of who she is?
Blackwelder has given us a dystopian world and created a society of different people that have become survivors. As with all societies she has built in the pettishness, and jealousy, as well as the fear of those who are different. Through it all she has weaved a gentle twist of romance and hope, and a love of family.
Her characters create feelings in the reader, the mostly gentle ways of the Mer draw you to them, yet their strength makes you understand their capabilities. The Humans have their own foibles and while most are caring and loving, the class system that is in place separates them too much. The distinctions are too extreme causing a feudal system with a King that has proclaimed his power. Blackwelder has given us a wicked Monarch that is easy to dislike, one who also has something to hide. Not because he is ashamed but because he plans to win at all costs.
If you enjoy end of the world scenarios, as well as mystery, romance and danger you will enjoy The Mers. There is beauty and abundance littered with hope. But betrayal raises the stakes and the adventure keeps you reading to find out how the Mers can survive, or even if they will.
This book was received as a free download from the author. All opinions are my own based on my reading and understanding of the material.
Review from Ananda @ Goodreads
from Ananda @ Goodreads
"One hundred years ago, humans began to reap what they had sewn. The Earth fought back with vengeance. Water saturated the planet in what had been dubbed the Great Deluge. Much of the land on Earth vanished underneath the seas. Many humans died, but those who survived became divided."
Mira always knew she was different. Being raised by Mers while not actually looking like a mermaid seem to always make her wonder who she is. Until the age of seventeen she is just aware of the fact she is not like anyone else surrounding her on Liberty Shore. Though she is forbidden to wonder beyond the border of her homeland she is haunted by the desire to seek for her real family and find out about the reasons why they've abandoned her.
"Who is she? She hardly knows. A human? A Mer? An Aristo? Something else? Something more?
Oh my...this was truly an interesting read for me. It's my first mermaid dystopian and I really enjoyed every single page of this book. I always found mermaids very fascinating, especially because of their captivating beauty and enchanting singing. I even remember been read a lot of mermaid stories when I was young, and I always envied these beautiful creatures for their freedom to govern the seas.
So, besides being a great fantasy and young adult read, this book reminded me of the good old childhood days and I thank Ami for this.
The story is centered around Mira and her journey to self-discovery. While trying to find "her kind" she is about to reveal the truths hidden deep in her heart. It was really very easy to like her, the author developed it's character so well, you could almost see this young cherry-red haired girl wondering through new lands, curiously discovering new worlds.
I restrain myself from giving away more from the plot, because I really don't want to spoil your enjoyment while reading this book. But I will just say, I loved the message behind it - watch for it.
Finally, I would like to thank the author for generously giving me a copy of this lovely book. Thank you Ami, I really enjoyed it.
"One hundred years ago, humans began to reap what they had sewn. The Earth fought back with vengeance. Water saturated the planet in what had been dubbed the Great Deluge. Much of the land on Earth vanished underneath the seas. Many humans died, but those who survived became divided."
Mira always knew she was different. Being raised by Mers while not actually looking like a mermaid seem to always make her wonder who she is. Until the age of seventeen she is just aware of the fact she is not like anyone else surrounding her on Liberty Shore. Though she is forbidden to wonder beyond the border of her homeland she is haunted by the desire to seek for her real family and find out about the reasons why they've abandoned her.
"Who is she? She hardly knows. A human? A Mer? An Aristo? Something else? Something more?
Oh my...this was truly an interesting read for me. It's my first mermaid dystopian and I really enjoyed every single page of this book. I always found mermaids very fascinating, especially because of their captivating beauty and enchanting singing. I even remember been read a lot of mermaid stories when I was young, and I always envied these beautiful creatures for their freedom to govern the seas.
So, besides being a great fantasy and young adult read, this book reminded me of the good old childhood days and I thank Ami for this.
The story is centered around Mira and her journey to self-discovery. While trying to find "her kind" she is about to reveal the truths hidden deep in her heart. It was really very easy to like her, the author developed it's character so well, you could almost see this young cherry-red haired girl wondering through new lands, curiously discovering new worlds.
I restrain myself from giving away more from the plot, because I really don't want to spoil your enjoyment while reading this book. But I will just say, I loved the message behind it - watch for it.
Finally, I would like to thank the author for generously giving me a copy of this lovely book. Thank you Ami, I really enjoyed it.
Review from Diary of a Cambridge Student
from Diary of a Cambridge Student
The second dystopian novel I have read and honestly I really liked it. It was different. There were mermaids involved and it was a dystopian.
I loved the way Ami incorporated a completely new world and made it so real at the same time. I am also so glad that her book didn’t turn me away from the dystopian genre, and in the near future or soonish i will definitely be reading more dystopian.
Since today is Halloween, she wanted me to post the review today and i feel that it is quite symbolic to the day. A completely new world, that is what happens at Halloween.
I personally feel that it must have been a bit hard to write this novel and so all praise goes to Ami! Also this story was gripping and brilliant! Anyone who wants to read such a book, grab your copy now!
Review from Emily @ Goodreads
from Emil @ Goodreads
This was definitely what I have spent a lot of time looking for. Today a lot of the same stories are made to all sound the same way. Lately we have all had more vampires, werewolves and other supernatural type of beings that we have lost out on the other monster and gods of old. Ami has done an amazing job of thinking up not only new ways to bring about a new Hero and Heroine but also getting a story that will draw you in. As with all stories there are the ups and the downs also the flaws but, thankfully this story is not the last in it’s series and so things will come out smoother I’m sure in the end. However, with it’s imperfections and perfections I have to say that I’m glad to say that this book did not let it pull me away but kept me turning the pages to delve deeper into this world .
The story is of Mira a young woman growing up in a world where she never truly feels she fits in, In love with a mer as they are called on the area where she grew up. She is hungry to learn why the humans hate the mer’s so much and if she’s a human and not a mer why she was given away forgotten and abandoned on the beach that she was. Together her and Nerin the young man mer she is in love with adventures from the small patch of land that they have all been banished to it’s from here that her world becomes something she never thought. She grows and finds not only her long lost father, mother but a brother and things take a turn for the extreme. There is adventure, danger , love and family in this book elements that all pull together to help keep you on the roller coaster ride and leave you awaiting for more…
This was definitely what I have spent a lot of time looking for. Today a lot of the same stories are made to all sound the same way. Lately we have all had more vampires, werewolves and other supernatural type of beings that we have lost out on the other monster and gods of old. Ami has done an amazing job of thinking up not only new ways to bring about a new Hero and Heroine but also getting a story that will draw you in. As with all stories there are the ups and the downs also the flaws but, thankfully this story is not the last in it’s series and so things will come out smoother I’m sure in the end. However, with it’s imperfections and perfections I have to say that I’m glad to say that this book did not let it pull me away but kept me turning the pages to delve deeper into this world .
The story is of Mira a young woman growing up in a world where she never truly feels she fits in, In love with a mer as they are called on the area where she grew up. She is hungry to learn why the humans hate the mer’s so much and if she’s a human and not a mer why she was given away forgotten and abandoned on the beach that she was. Together her and Nerin the young man mer she is in love with adventures from the small patch of land that they have all been banished to it’s from here that her world becomes something she never thought. She grows and finds not only her long lost father, mother but a brother and things take a turn for the extreme. There is adventure, danger , love and family in this book elements that all pull together to help keep you on the roller coaster ride and leave you awaiting for more…
Review from BLH Mistress
from BLH Mistress
I honestly think I have read only one Dystopian book and a handful with mermaids in them but not as a main character. What I found intriguing with this book was the unique world building this author created. We have the Mers who hate humans, humans who hate the Mers then there are several types of humans, Aristos, Commoners(who are really low on the totem pole), Magi's and even Pirates. The fact all of this takes place in or around Jersey makes me smile.
Mira, who all her life has lived as Mer but was different and wanted to know why, so she sets out for where she isn't allowed to go, due to a truce called between the Humans and the Mers. Her boyfriend and his little sister tag along. But she ends up more confused than ever until she finally finds out the truth.
The book started off a bit slow but soon picked up once they were in Jersey. Then it was non stop action with a touch of sweet romance. It also had a couple surprising moments that I didn't see coming. I do have to say though the ending I was a bit confused about not so much for the story as to where and how Ethan is going to be in the future. I know she was setting up for the next installment, I just I don't know if he is going to be good or bad. I surely hope its not the latter. I really liked him.
Overall this book was far different than I been reading and I did enjoy it. I am looking forward to see what the next book has to offer. Would I recommend yes, if you love YA Paranormal with a Dystopian twist then this book is for you.
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