Helpful Score: 7
Christine Canady "CC" was an Air Force Sergeant. Forgotten on her twenty-fifth birthday, even by her parents, she wished for a little magic in her life. Shortly afterward, her military plane crashed into the ocean. Near death, CC thought she was hallucinating when a beautiful mermaid appeared and offered to swap bodies with her.
CC awakened to find herself in the time of Ancient Wales, where magic could still be found, and CC quickly learned that she had a royal merman, Sarpedon, determined to wed her against her will. Gaea, Goddess of Earth (and Undine's mother), granted CC legs to go ashore, but she must return to the sea every third night or die.
With one crazy merman in the sea, another handsome merman in the sea, a Knight courting her on land, and a shady abbot who was always nearby, CC/Undine had troubles galore!
A really a sensitive and magically entertaining love story! I truly enjoyed this book and recommend this to all of you who want to capture the magic of a truly magical love story. This was a wonderfully entertaining and pleasant read!
CC awakened to find herself in the time of Ancient Wales, where magic could still be found, and CC quickly learned that she had a royal merman, Sarpedon, determined to wed her against her will. Gaea, Goddess of Earth (and Undine's mother), granted CC legs to go ashore, but she must return to the sea every third night or die.
With one crazy merman in the sea, another handsome merman in the sea, a Knight courting her on land, and a shady abbot who was always nearby, CC/Undine had troubles galore!
A really a sensitive and magically entertaining love story! I truly enjoyed this book and recommend this to all of you who want to capture the magic of a truly magical love story. This was a wonderfully entertaining and pleasant read!
Julie W. (cloverluv) reviewed Goddess of the Sea (Goddess Summoning, Bk 1) on + 129 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I'm a big P.C. Cast fan. I loved "Goddess by Mistake" and am looking forward to reading other books by her.
This one however was...meh. It's classic P.C. that's for sure, mystical creatures, torrid love affairs, and classically unbelievable plots, but this one was just...I don't know...fluffy? Is that a good word?
I expected it to be more "Little Mermaid" like, instead I got an air force gal who gets transformed into someone else...I don't know...
Bottom line, it held my interest, but was hard to swallow, even for a high fantasy book...that says a lot.
Two and a half stars.
This one however was...meh. It's classic P.C. that's for sure, mystical creatures, torrid love affairs, and classically unbelievable plots, but this one was just...I don't know...fluffy? Is that a good word?
I expected it to be more "Little Mermaid" like, instead I got an air force gal who gets transformed into someone else...I don't know...
Bottom line, it held my interest, but was hard to swallow, even for a high fantasy book...that says a lot.
Two and a half stars.
Kristin (CozyLover) reviewed Goddess of the Sea (Goddess Summoning, Bk 1) on + 335 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
PC Cast writes a fantastic novel. Very rich in details, emotion and atmosphere. She's got me as a lifelong reader, hook, line and sinker!
Helpful Score: 1
What a beautiful, magical love story! This is the first I've read by this author and I absolutely loved it! This wasn't anything like the historical romances that I'm used to; this was so fresh and enchanting. I'll be sure to look for the rest of the goddess summoning series. I highly recommend this one!
Helpful Score: 1
Could not make head or tail of the story, no pun intended ! You have to be a diehard fan of p.c. cast to appreciate the fishy tale.
Helpful Score: 1
I was a little worried I wouldn't be able to get through this book because it started out slow and I found it a little corny. The author, quite often, had characters do or say things that didn't jive and it was something that continued on throughout the book.
Even though the story is decent, and fast-paced, this is one of those books where I tend to get frustrated with the lead character. She is supposed to be looking for true love, yet initially she thinks the guy that she's least attracted to may be the one? Then, she's stuck in a monastery during the middle ages where she doesn't think it prudent to be careful about how she acts or what she says. I don't know about other readers, but if it were me and as soon as I discovered the creepy abbot and his band of brain-washed followers, I'd be on my way back to the sea to take my chances. Call me crazy, but when a character is described as a smart, modern-day woman, it's annoying to see she acts like an idiot.
I also found that the parts of the plot were very Hans Christian Andersen even though the author did not acknowledge this, but instead preferred to have her heroine diss classic authors who's stories weren't like what she just experienced.
There were a lot of things in the story and the the plot that bordered on ridiculous and being too convenient (even for a fictional piece). I don't know how many times I wondered why the author didn't do a better job to insure that the story wasn't full of plot-holes. It's like she writes without sitting back and wondering if it all makes sense or that the people reading her rough draft are too nice (or oblivious) to say anything. I love stories with happy endings, but I hate when it gets to the end of a book and suddenly all the characters seem to know each other or are suddenly part of a paranormal buddy group.
Overall, if you just read it for what it is and try to not think while doing it, it's an okay story. Will I read more in this series? Only if all I have to use is a PBS credit, because I definitely wouldn't spend money on it.
Even though the story is decent, and fast-paced, this is one of those books where I tend to get frustrated with the lead character. She is supposed to be looking for true love, yet initially she thinks the guy that she's least attracted to may be the one? Then, she's stuck in a monastery during the middle ages where she doesn't think it prudent to be careful about how she acts or what she says. I don't know about other readers, but if it were me and as soon as I discovered the creepy abbot and his band of brain-washed followers, I'd be on my way back to the sea to take my chances. Call me crazy, but when a character is described as a smart, modern-day woman, it's annoying to see she acts like an idiot.
I also found that the parts of the plot were very Hans Christian Andersen even though the author did not acknowledge this, but instead preferred to have her heroine diss classic authors who's stories weren't like what she just experienced.
There were a lot of things in the story and the the plot that bordered on ridiculous and being too convenient (even for a fictional piece). I don't know how many times I wondered why the author didn't do a better job to insure that the story wasn't full of plot-holes. It's like she writes without sitting back and wondering if it all makes sense or that the people reading her rough draft are too nice (or oblivious) to say anything. I love stories with happy endings, but I hate when it gets to the end of a book and suddenly all the characters seem to know each other or are suddenly part of a paranormal buddy group.
Overall, if you just read it for what it is and try to not think while doing it, it's an okay story. Will I read more in this series? Only if all I have to use is a PBS credit, because I definitely wouldn't spend money on it.
Helpful Score: 1
This is my new FAVORITE series! It reminds me of all the wonderful fantasy I read 15+ years ago (before life had SO many responsibilities) by masterful authors like MZB and McCafferey! But not to worry, it isn't outdated or a replica...the storyline is unique AND it incorporates today's less modest attitude on ""steam""! I've been sucked into the paranormal genre for the modern romantic fantasy, but many times I find it simply too hard and harsh for my tastes. Cast gives you all the ""hot"" you need, but tempered with the tenderness and true love that I would enjoy. I tire of reading a story and enjoying a scene and then the supposed SEXy language pulls me right out of my reverie. You won't find that here. The emphasis is on a well developed storyline, not the sex. I am not easy to impress, and Cast really goes the extra distance! If you want a romantic FANTASY that doesn't disappoint, with magic galore, and very strong women, well, Goddesses...read this series! Note my emphasis...
I've already read the Goddess of Spring, which literally had me exclaiming out loud how good it was! I intend to have the whole series!
Keep putting in the cultural symbology I love so much, lady! Especially with the plants and stones!
I've already read the Goddess of Spring, which literally had me exclaiming out loud how good it was! I intend to have the whole series!
Keep putting in the cultural symbology I love so much, lady! Especially with the plants and stones!
Helpful Score: 1
This is a totally delightful fantasy featuring a young woman in the military service who escapes death in an accident by changing bodies with mermaid who is really a sea goddess in an alternate reality.
She learns a lot about herself and about life.
She learns a lot about herself and about life.
Tiffany L. (tlees5) reviewed Goddess of the Sea (Goddess Summoning, Bk 1) on + 119 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This was so good it earned keeper status on my bookshelf.
I love how she takes someone from now and puts them in the time of Gods and Goddess comes out with a happy ending for everyone. Our girl makes things come out the way they should in the past using what they know.
Melissa W. (vampira1w) -
Wonderful and heart-warming story. I loved the H.O.N. series and wondered what other marvels P.C. Cast penned and was not disappointed by the first in the Goddess Summoning series. I was so into the story! Although some parts were a little easy to see what was coming next, I still feel it was a beautiful story. Can't wait for the next book! 5 Stars from me!
Jamie W. (JBMW112009) -
Definitely 5 stars! While others review this as inplausible, I say dont read a fantasy book if you want reality. I loved this story and the ending brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. I love the Goddess Summoning series. P.C, you did it again :-)
Chelsea S. (PengQueen) reviewed Goddess of the Sea (Goddess Summoning, Bk 1) on + 114 more book reviews
When it comes to paranormal romance I try to suspend disbelief and just go with the story, trusting that either the author will create a plausible world or that the story will be so amusing that I won't care about implausibility. This book is a rare case in which the author wasn't successful in either manner to my great disapointment. I got about 100 pages in and gave up, skimming to the end out of a combination of irritation and lack of interest.
The premise of the book is that on her 25th birthday CC is lonely and drunk and performs a ritual in which she asks the goddess of the earth, Gaea, to bring magic into her life. The result of this is that CC switches places with Gaea's mermaid daughter, Princess Undine. She is also sent back in time to about 1014 I believe. CC is allowed to return to land as a human (in Undine's very beautiful form) but she must return to the water and transform into a mermaid every 3 days. The only way to break this cycle is to find a man, fall in love, and have him accept her completely. On land Undine is "rescued" by a hansome solicitous knight who she assumes will be the man for her. Meanwhile, she has already encountered a merman who she is drawn to, Dylan, and they enter into an erotic relationship.
Now in fairness this book had it's good parts. I liked the use of mythology/fairy tale that made the story seem familiar and comfortable. I liked a lot of the discriptive ideas, like the scene where she actually becomes a mermaid--very well written. The setting was fairly intrigueing, all though the time travel portion of it was somewhat pointless. The romance was passable. And from what I could tell, there are some interesting plot twists thrown in to keep things fresh.
My issues with this book are many. The humor is at best awkward and clumsy. It's never fully commited to. The openning scene of the book has the heroine talking to herself and pathetically drinking alone. At the same time we are supposed to believe that she's a smart professional member of the United States Air Force. I guess my problem with her character and this part of the premise is that I wanted to like her, but she's inconsistantly written. I think that the author either need to commit to making a humorous slightly ditzy character, or a smart well put together one. Or give us some background to justify the lack of consistancy. This problem carries over into the actual story as well. Half of the time the effort is made to give good logical reasons for things, and half of the time no explanation is given at all. The other major issues is that the characters are, for the most part, flat and underdeveloped. An effort is made to show that CC has a meaningful change in her worldview and character...but thats about it, everyone else is fairly static. Overall the writing is rough. I will likely not be reading any more from this series.
The premise of the book is that on her 25th birthday CC is lonely and drunk and performs a ritual in which she asks the goddess of the earth, Gaea, to bring magic into her life. The result of this is that CC switches places with Gaea's mermaid daughter, Princess Undine. She is also sent back in time to about 1014 I believe. CC is allowed to return to land as a human (in Undine's very beautiful form) but she must return to the water and transform into a mermaid every 3 days. The only way to break this cycle is to find a man, fall in love, and have him accept her completely. On land Undine is "rescued" by a hansome solicitous knight who she assumes will be the man for her. Meanwhile, she has already encountered a merman who she is drawn to, Dylan, and they enter into an erotic relationship.
Now in fairness this book had it's good parts. I liked the use of mythology/fairy tale that made the story seem familiar and comfortable. I liked a lot of the discriptive ideas, like the scene where she actually becomes a mermaid--very well written. The setting was fairly intrigueing, all though the time travel portion of it was somewhat pointless. The romance was passable. And from what I could tell, there are some interesting plot twists thrown in to keep things fresh.
My issues with this book are many. The humor is at best awkward and clumsy. It's never fully commited to. The openning scene of the book has the heroine talking to herself and pathetically drinking alone. At the same time we are supposed to believe that she's a smart professional member of the United States Air Force. I guess my problem with her character and this part of the premise is that I wanted to like her, but she's inconsistantly written. I think that the author either need to commit to making a humorous slightly ditzy character, or a smart well put together one. Or give us some background to justify the lack of consistancy. This problem carries over into the actual story as well. Half of the time the effort is made to give good logical reasons for things, and half of the time no explanation is given at all. The other major issues is that the characters are, for the most part, flat and underdeveloped. An effort is made to show that CC has a meaningful change in her worldview and character...but thats about it, everyone else is fairly static. Overall the writing is rough. I will likely not be reading any more from this series.
The best of the series. You could pretty much anticipate what was going to happen next, but it was a fun read.
P.C. CAST WRITES VERY GOOD FANTASY WITH THE GODDESS SERIES. THIS ONE WAS REAL NEAT. MERMAID.
I liked the concept of the book but didn't care for the ending. It was not waht I expected
Maria P. (BklynMom) - , reviewed Goddess of the Sea (Goddess Summoning, Bk 1) on + 541 more book reviews
Loved the story line, clever, interesting twist. Good read.
Victoria E. (calilly) reviewed Goddess of the Sea (Goddess Summoning, Bk 1) on + 18 more book reviews
I fall in love with books easy, this one is no exception. Part of a series.
April D. (knittymama) reviewed Goddess of the Sea (Goddess Summoning, Bk 1) on + 424 more book reviews
Very romantic and mystical.
Rebecca H. (amichai) reviewed Goddess of the Sea (Goddess Summoning, Bk 1) on + 368 more book reviews
not worth the time, poor characterization, poor prose, ridiculous plot - only for a reader that likes fantasy romance no matter how it is written
very good read
From the Back Cover: On the night of her twenty-fifth birthday, alone in her apartment, Air Force Seargeant Christine Canady wished for one thing: a little magic in her life. After drinking way too much champagne...she performs a goddess summoning ritual in hopes it will make her life a little less ordinary - never imagining that the spell will work. When her military plane crashes into the ocean, she awakens in a legendary time and place when magic rules the land - occupying the body of the mythic mermaid Undine. But there is danger in the waters and the goddess Gaea turns this modern, military gal into a beautiful damsel so that she can seek shelter on land. She is soon rescued (literally) by a knight in shining armor. She should be falling in love with this dream-come-true, but instead she aches for the sea and a sexy Merman who has stolen her heart.
