Review - Florence - Ciye Cho

Title: Florence
Author: Ciye Cho
Genre: Young Adult, fantasy romance
Publication: Studio AmazePop, 1st July, 2012
Pages: Ebook
Source: Given for review by the talented author himself


Seventeen-year-old Florence Waverley is out of her depth. Literally. Kidnapped and taken below the waves to the mer world of Niemela, she is the ultimate gift for merman Prince Kiren: a human familiar tied to his side. But nothing is what it seems amid the beauty and danger of a dark ocean.

Every Niemelan has a role to play, from the mermaids who weave towers out of kelp to the warriors who fight sea monsters. But in trying to survive, Florence will end up in the middle of a war between the mer and the Darkness. A conflict that will push her between two brothers: Kiren, the charmer inexplicably drawn to both her and the monsters; and Rolan, the loner who has been pushing her away since the day they met. But in order to take a stand--and find out where she belongs--Florence will have to risk it all: her life, her heart... and her very soul.


WOW! This was one exhilarating read, I can't actually believe that this is Ciye Cho's first novel. From the very first page, I was drawn in, left on a cliffhanger at the end of every chapter. There were quite a few action-packed scenes and there was a major twist in the tale that I was really shocked by! 


I quite liked the characters. Florence was a really brave heroine, when there were the war scenes she didn't just simper and wait for Rolan or Kiren to rescue her, she grabbed a weapon and off she went, helping the Niemelans to fight the war. I also admired her for not completely freaking out when she was kidnapped, she thought about this kidnapping in a logical perspective.


The two brothers, Kiren and Rolan? Well, at first, I adored Kiren, with his blondish hair and his charming smile and how sweet he was to Florence, but towards the end of the book you can see he is not all what he seemed, however he did have some good intentions. 


Rolan, I really didn't like him in the beginning, but when he rescued Florence from a few tricky situations and he was so guarded and protective of her, I couldn't help but feel for him. He had a tough past and there was one dark memory in it that he wouldn't let go of. But in the end, wow, I loved him! 


Yolee, Rolan and Kiren's sister, was also adorable. I loved how bubbly and enthusiastic she was about everything and how she did the most artistic and creative things under the ocean. It was also sweet how close her and Florence were.


Overall, this was a really brilliant book. It was so descriptive and you really get to know each of the characters and how they all have a little secret that affects the way they act. It was a bit slow to get into but you must read it. A story of love, betrayal and a whole new other world! 
I really enjoyed it, but it didn't have a WOW ending which I was hoping for. I will,however, read more of the author's books though as I think he is a very talented writer! 


I give it: 4/5 CUPCAKES