Droplets Review

This time I am reviewing Droplets by: Meaghan Rauscher.

Lissie and her family’s annual cruise takes a horrific turn when a storm battles and batters their boat. Lissie is thrown overboard, only to be saved by a monster who wants one thing: Her. The cruel man, who has fins like a merman when he hits the water, changes Lissie through a painful process. Having misjudged her age, the merman leaves her until her eighteenth birthday, when he will come back to claim her. Not wanting to be someone’s slave, Lissie will run and set many events into motion…

I was so impressed by this book. On first picking it up, I totally thought it would be one of those YA books where this mysterious and hard-edged man (merman in this case) would come and force Lissie into something. Later they would fall in love and it would be just another Beauty and the Beast knockoff. This book was nothing like that and it was refreshing. This story had so many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. I really can’t say how much I was relieved that this book didn’t take the turn where Lissie fell in love with the first guy that crossed her path.

The mermaid mythology in this book was really good. I liked the subtle differences to the mythology that I have heard so many times. Even though most of it isn’t known/explained till later in the book, I didn’t feel confused. I really enjoyed that Lissie got to be in the heart of it all and learn so much.

Lissie was a great character. I’m so glad she didn’t just stand by and be a victim. She went out and tried to change the fate forced upon her. I liked that she was strong, but she had moments of weakness. Her strength wasn’t annoying like it can so often be in YA books, where the main girl can do anything and everything. She wasn’t perfect and I love to find characters that have a few flaws. It makes them more real.

I really loved Patrick in this book. He was just amazing, but I won’t say too much more for fear of spoilers.

The ending to this book was really satisfying. It made me want to read more and it does leave the reader with some unanswered questions. I really enjoyed the pacing at the end and that it doesn’t just drop off after the main action is over. There’s a small bit of breathing room after all the action and I always love when books do that.

After finishing this book, I couldn’t wait to start the next one, but I have hesitated based on the synopsis of the next one. I’m sure it will be just as excellent as this one, but I just haven’t picked it up. Regardless of that, I really want to read the next book and discover what happens next.