Coral Review

Posted by abakersp in Reviews / Spotlights, YA / 0 Comments

Hello my reader friends! Have you enjoyed the holiday weekend? Here in Central NY it’s basically turned into summer with the weather – we tend to skip spring. I’ve had a weekend full of outdoor time, some by the fire, with family, and just enjoying the beautiful weather that God provided us with this weekend!

Today I’d like to share with you a story that deeply touched my heart. It is not a light read at all, so if that is what you are looking, this is probably not the book for you. There are several trigger topics, which the author has done a wonderful job of describing right in the front of the book. That being said, I thought it was an extraordinary read.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Inspired by “The Little Mermaid,” Coral explores what it means to be human in a world where humanity often seems lost.

Coral has always been different, standing out from her mermaid sisters in a society where blending in is key. She fears she has been afflicted with the dreaded Disease said to be carried by humans: emotions. Her sister had the Disease, and Red Tide took her away. Will it come for Coral next?

Above the sea, Brooke has nothing left to give. Depression and anxiety have left her feeling isolated. Forgotten. The only thing she can rely on is the numbness she finds within the cool and comforting ocean waves. If only she weren’t stuck at a new group-therapy home that promises a second chance at life. But what’s the point of living if her soul is destined to bleed?

Merrick may be San Francisco’s golden boy, but he wants nothing more than to escape his controlling father. When his younger sister’s suicide attempt sends Merrick to his breaking point, escape becomes the only option. If he can find their mom, everything will be made right again—right?

When their worlds collide, all three will do whatever it takes to survive. But what—and who—must they leave behind for life to finally begin?

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MY PERSPECTIVE

This book. Wow, I’m not even sure I can put in words how my reading experience went. First let me start by saying this was a difficult read. Perhaps the hardest book I’ve ever read emotionally. There is a lot of mental health issues that are addressed here – and kudos to Sara Ella for going above and beyond by listing them before you even get to the first chapter. There are some dark moments in this book, I am not going to sugar coat it. And yet, I couldn’t stop reading. The characters kept calling me, inviting me back into their world. I found myself drawn to them, even on an emotional level, which is why it was so very hard for me to read. Thankfully none of these issues are triggers for me, but I know they can be for others. So I suggest reading with extreme caution. But if you’re like me, I think it will open your eyes to so many things you never even thought about before. And that, perhaps, is what I liked most about this book.

Sara Ella poured her heart and soul into this book. It is very evident by the depth, the emotion, and the willingness to write about such difficult topics. Kudos to her for bring these issues to light. Not a lot of authors decide to go this route, and/or I feel like they moreso glorify suicide (not done here at all in my opinion) when they do, which I am strongly against. Instead, while reading Coral I felt like I was getting a glimpse of what happens to people struggling with mental health. You see the good, the bad, and the ugly. It wasn’t rainbows and unicorns, and it certainly wasn’t fluffy. What was it then you ask? Real. Authentic. Thought provoking. Eye opening. And dare I say even a teeny bit hopeful.

The characters were so creatively written that it really took me awhile to understand how they were all going to connect. And I did have a few surprises as Ella clarified this, ones that I felt I should have been more aware of and able to figure out, but I just wasn’t. While I read the last few chapters of the book, I found myself looking back and putting all the pieces together. I kind of understood the characters a little better too once all this came together. One thing I missed was perhaps a prologue that showed the characters maybe five years down the road. But the truth is, maybe we aren’t meant to see it. Maybe we’re just supposed to imagine the possibilities in our own minds, and give these characters the ending we want them to have.

Again I cannot stress enough that this book was not for everyone. But it touched me in ways I still don’t understand, and I am so very happy that I read it. I received a complimentary copy of this book, and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Once upon a time, Sara Ella dreamed she would marry a prince and live in a Disney castle. Today, she spends her days throwing living room dance parties for her two princesses, raising her little prince to be a king, and conquering realms of her own imaginings. Oh, and her husband is definitely more swoon-worthy than any Prince Charming.

Sara’s UNBLEMISHED trilogy has received high praise and multiple awards, but none as rewarding as the love and support she receives from her readers every day. Her new story CORAL, a reimagining of THE LITTLE MERMAID, releases in the fall of 2019.

When she’s not on deadline, Sara Ella can most often be found fangirling on FacebookInstagram, or her YouTube channel. She may or may not be obsessed with #Bookstagram, which feeds her current addiction to bookish tea and candles. A lover of fairy tales, she believes “Happily Ever After is Never Far Away.”

Sara is represented by Steve Laube at the Steve Laube Agency.

Photo Credit: E.A. Creative Photography

What is the last book that you read that really spoke to your heart?