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4.5 

Shimmerfish

By Bethany Browning
Shimmerfish by Bethany Browning digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

From the author of Sasquatch, Baby! and Dead Spread, Shimmerfish is an unputdownable, coming-of-age horror filled with quirky characters and spine-tingling suspense. After a bizarre accident leaves her motherless, Amy Jay escapes her violent stepfather and is taken under the wing of a small-town doctor. When the doctor's niece, a self-described mer-witch, arrives in a turquoise school bus bursting with potions, spells, mermaid tails, wigs, and costume jewelry, Amy Jay dives headfirst into the fascinating world of professional mermaiding. She gets a tail, a mer-name, a detailed instruction book by a mysterious, missing mermaid named Shimmerfish-and still, something about her new life doesn't add up. But before Amy Jay can sort out what feels fishy, her stepfather comes locates her hideout, and changes the course of her life forever.

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Shimmerfish Reviews

4.5
“Sometimes you read a book that just springs to life in front of you. This book was beautifully written and the characters were brilliantly crafted. I enjoyed it, even though the subject matter was heavy at times and could have been torturous if broached by a less-skilled writer. The author deftly wove together witchcraft and mermaid lore with the main character, Amy Jay's past and present to create an honest, unflinching story. I am someone who really, really needs to like the main characters. While Amy Jay was a beautiful soul, many of the folks who surrounded her were, horrible, horrible people and watching her wash up against the battered shore of other people's shortcomings was painful. All in all, this was an amazing venture, helmed by a skilled author and I enjoyed it, when I wasn't cringing. The author embodies Amy Jay with such depth and drive to survive that it, almost, made up for everyone who let her down. If you liked Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe, but thought it should be done by teenagers, then you should absolutely pick up this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.”
“Thanks BookSirens for the ARC. I didn't love this quite as much as the first thing I read by the author, though I think that might be because I thought it was going to be a cute queer love story when Anemone arrived! It was really well-written and I loved the information about mermaiding, which totally tied with what I know about the community myself. I wish we could all have a Dr. Birdsong in our lives!”

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