Fathom [NOOK Book]

Now I have to buy her other books!

I read a fair amount of Young Adult books since I judge that category in writing contests. However, few ever capture my attention like Merrie Destefano's Fathom. Beautifully written, well-edited (for all you grammar freaks), with engaging characters, the story of Kira Callahan is a page-turner for sure. I blasted through this and wished for more. Destefano mixes Irish lore with the Pacific Coast, and creates a cast of characters uniquely suited to this expertly crafted story. I couldn't put it down. VERY well done. For YA and adults.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

interesting story with a big twist

* Would actually rate this book 3.5 stars but rounded it up to 4*


I am extremely on the fence about this one. Several times I had put the book down, telling myself I wasn't into to it, only to find myself crawling back into bed starting it up again. The writing was excellent and it flowed easily throughout the book. But I think it was the storyline that got me. I liked the idea that the author had but at times I thought it was kind of bland. The description of the book is a little deceptive too. So much so I was a little confused when starting the book. I just wasn’t expecting the path the author took. I will say I was surprised with a major twist that happened. I totally did not see it coming.

Another thing is I never felt that connection with Kira like I felt I should with an MC. I mean like zip. I couldn’t relate to her and thought that she didn’t really develop much throughout the story. I did however like Caleb's character a lot. But I do think he got the short end of the deal in the end.

I am not sure if this book is the start of a series or a standalone. But with an ending like this one had, I am hoping there will be another book. I am not sure though I want to read the second one if there is. I just don’t have that desire to continue on with it. These are all just my opinions and I hope that others will want to find out for themselves if this book is for them or not.

A sea legend comes to the land folk while it's still in the making.

Caleb's people are of the sea, make homes of shipwrecked ships and have legends of humans. One of the legends is still forming, a girl still working and growing through her own legend his people talk about. Caleb is curious about this legend and when his friend and his sisters betrothed returns home he says he saw her, and a crew of them decide to go and see her for themselves, even though they have to swim through their predators territory, the Hinquememem.

Kira is a young girl turning sixteen and maturing, maturing in ways she never even knew and well beyond that of a normal teenage girl. Kira feels she looks more like her murdering mother than ever before, and misses her dead sister. She loves her swimming that helps calm her days and mind. But Kira's world is good as she shares her first kiss with Sean but is about to get turned upside down after a party where she has her drink spiked and a few girls play a cruel joke on her by trying to drown her... she thinks what happens is all a hallucination, from the drink...or was it?

We start with Kira remembering the first time she saw a ghost, her mothers ghost and what happened to her mother and sister, yet makes me curious to the whole story with them and the Celtic legends they believe and listen to. In school there are those who whisper the same rumors at start of each year, about Kira and her mother and wondering if she's like her mother, crazy. But we are coming to the close of the year and the thoughts are still there.

The descriptions of the oceans touch is poetic! The details of the scent, look, and feel are amazing and I can almost feel it on my skin. I almost feel as I'm there. Then when I realize I'm not, it makes me wish I was standing there at the ocean, on the beach. Makes me crave the ocean as much as Kira does.

The chapters rotate between Kira, learning of her, her mom, birthday, and friends, and Caleb, learning his world and adventures to see Kira. The chapters are shorter length in pages and consist of complete scenes. I really like this. It's easy to have a spot to stop on the run (and for young adults between classes) yet I am in want to keep reading and know, learn, more of Kira's and Caleb's lives and how they will connect.

My only thought is Kira considers Caleb a friend in the end after him helping her once and then in the end again, also keeping her secret. Kira feels a connection with Caleb with every eye locked gaze, but I didn't feel there was as much happening between them to consider him such a close friend. I do think Kira is a kind soul and should act the same way she does with him, but to say he's such a close friend...I don't know, I didn't really feel it. But the Legend created here, Wow!

Wow! The legend created here. An amazing Celtic legend that grows to come to pass as we read, in a story that will seize your attention. Full of selkies and monsters of the sea.

I'm very curious to see where the series goes from here. There has to be more to come, because I want it. lol.