Fiction Books For Sea Lovers and Ocean Lovers

Below is my list of fictional books for lovers of the ocean and the sea. I would love to know if you have any further suggestions!

PICTURE BOOK 3+

Commotion In The Ocean by Giles Andreae and David Wojtowycz

Crabs, whales, sharks, jellyfish and lobsters – all making a noisy commotion in the ocean! Dive into the shimmering brilliance of the deeps with this bold book of rhyme! Packed with rhythmic rhymes and bubbling ocean sounds which are perfect for reading aloud and miming along to, this is a brilliantly colourful first book of verse from the award-winning author and illustrator of Rumble in the Jungle.

My Musings- A perfect picture book to read out loud. The little ones will love the rhythm of the text and bold colourful illustrations.

Other suggestions -

The Storm Whale by Benji Davies - a sensitive portrayel of loneliness and finding friendship

CHILDREN'S BOOK 7+

A Boy and a Bear in a Boat

A boy and a bear go to sea, equipped with a suitcase, a comic book and a ukulele. They are only travelling a short distance and it really shouldn't take long. But their journey doesn't quite go to plan . . .

Faced with turbulent storms, a terrifying sea monster and the rank remains of a very dangerous sandwich, the odds are against our unlikely heroes. Will the Harriet, their trusted vessel, withstand the violent lashings of the salty waves? And will anyone ever answer their message in a bottle?

Brilliantly funny and tender, this beautiful book maps the growth of a truly memorable friendship and explores how, when all else is lost, the most unexpected joys can be found.

My Musings- A great adventure that will appeal to boys and girls with captivating illustrations

YOUNG ADULT FICTION 12+

 Ingo by Helen Dunmore

Sapphire's father mysteriously vanishes into the waves off the Cornwall coast where her family has always lived. She misses him terribly, and she longs to hear his spellbinding tales about the Mer, who live in the underwater kingdom of Ingo. Perhaps that is why she imagines herself being pulled like a magnet toward the sea. But when her brother, Conor, starts disappearing for hours on end, Sapphy starts to believe she might not be the only one who hears the call of the ocean.

My Musings- A great teen read full of magic,romance and mermaids!

ADULT FICTION

The Ocean Sea by Alessandro Baricco

A handful of disparate lives converge at a remote seaside inn: a lovelorn professor, a renowned painter, an inscrutable seductress - and a beautiful young girl, fatally ill, brought to the sea by a desperate father's last hope. An intricate web of destinies and associations begins to reveal itself, but it is not until the arrival of a mysterious sailor called Adams that the truth in all its dreamlike beauty and cruelty becomes clear.

Adams may furnish the key to the girl's salvation, but only the fulfilment of his obsessive secret purpose - to answer murder with murder - can conclude the journey that has brought him from the ends of the earth. Alternately playful and profoundly serious, Baricco's novel surges with the hypnotic power of the ocean sea.

My Musings- Silk, this authors first book is one of my all time favourites and this is another wonderful read from the lyrical writing of Baricco

More suggestions -
The LIfeboat by Charlotte Rogan. A tale of survival when their ship sinks. A tense thriller great for a book group read. 

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman- Wonderful novel full of twists and turns. A gift is brought from the ocean but what secrets does it keep and what secrets will it force others to keep? Great book group book
All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr- One of my favourite reads this year. Enthralling, compelling, there aren't enough adjectives!! The sea is an inspiration and a comfort. Beautiful

Film Review: Mission Impossible Rogue Nation

Synopsis

Ethan and team take on their most impossible mission yet, eradicating the Syndicate - an International rogue organization as highly skilled as they are, committed to destroying the IMF.

My Musings

Mission Impossible Rogue Nation had so many good reviews I was really dubious going to see it as when that usually  happens (Jurassic World comes to mind) I am really disappointed.

It seems though some of my faith has been restored. This one certainly gets off to a flying start (excuse the pun) with Tom Cruise clings to the side of a plane, literally. When I first saw this clip I said, CGI, but no, it was Tom giving his insurers a heart attack. Kudos to Cruise I really didn't think he could beat his stunt on the tallest building in Dubai in Ghost Protocol but he really did!

The plot is as ever convoluted. There is a rogue group of agents whom nobody believes exist except Hunt so he and his gang go rogue to prove it. Enter Ilsa Faust, played by the amazing Rebecca Ferguson, as a double agent. I wasn't a fan of hers before as found White Queen so irritating but I've done a complete turnaround. She is AMAZING!  She matches Tom in every way, with the physical fights and intellect acting as a perfect foil and in my opinion steals the show!

This is a female character that stands on her own merit. There are no 'weak' girly moments, no romance even, just standing shoulder to shoulder with Hunt as an agent of equal ability AND ITS REALLY GREAT. I really wish Hollywood would take note. There are strong female characters coming through in teen movies but for adults not so much which makes Ilsa Faust a breath of fresh air.

The action is relentless with stand out stunts, including the plane being, for me,  the underwater scene reminiscent of The Abyss and had me holding my breath and the bike chase especially exciting as Tom is clearly doing nearly all his own stunts. Peppered with the glamour of the Viennese Opera and a lot more humor (A little too much Simon Pegg for me ) it only loses pace twice for a blink of an eye. There are also a few nods  to Bond which they have borrowed from even more than ever but is certainly no worse for it.

This is more that a star vehicle for Tom Cruise as he clearly is not afraid to let others shine and comes out the stronger for it. In the fifth installment of Mission Impossible with its sharp script, complex characters and hair raising stunts, you just get that they all wanted to make a damn good action film and they really succeeded.
Best Block Buster of The Summer BY FAR!

Book Review The Girl At Midnight by Melissa Grey

Synopsis

Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she's ever known.

Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she's fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it's time to act.

Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, though if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it's how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it.

But some jobs aren't as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire.

My Musings

Echo finds a home from her abusive family with a secret world that lives under the radar of human eyes. The vivid description of these magical people with feathers for hair is very evocative and draws you into their world immediately. 

Echo is a pickpocket who makes her family amongst her friends,  finds first love and is deeply loyal to Ala a magical creature who first found her. Ala entrust Echo with finding the firebird which legend has it, will end the bloody war in their world. Little hints throughout lead you to the 'big reveal' at the end which I did not guess at all.

 Meanwhile we meet The Dragon Prince, Caius, their sworn enemy and his psychotic sister. When she deposes Caius he and his best friend and guard, Dorian escape and join forces on the run with Echo and her friends Jasper and Ivy. The dynamic between the  group when they all have to work together to survive  both side is sparkling . 

Melisa writes really witty and likable  characters which owes a little nod to Cassandra Clare. There are some minor quibbles. Cauis and Echo relationship seemed a little rushed and convenient and the 'love ' triangle is negligible and not sure why it was needed unless there are consequences in later books. There is also part of the plot which is clearly influenced by The Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I think this could have got to the same conclusion another way around for the sake of comparison and it may irritate some other readers, especially fans of those particular books. It was Ok for me as I was enjoying the story so much, so as I said, a minor quibble!!

Melissa is a very strong, talented writer with vivid, sharp prose and a real talent for world building,  just enough to keep you hooked but not to take over the story. I really fell for the characters group dynamic. The growing relationship between Dorian and Jasper was particularly well handled  and they are two of my favorite characters. 

I really loved this book  and its themes of lost love, betrayal,  finding family in friends which are set against a magical and wonderfully colourful world. I look forward to the next and especially how the characters will be developed. 

If you like this you might like

The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Book Review The Sin Eaters Daughter by Melinda Salisbury

Synopsis

I am the perfect weapon.
I kill with a single touch.

Twylla is blessed. The Gods have chosen her to marry a prince, and rule the kingdom. But the favour of the Gods has it's price. A deadly poison infuses her skin. Those who anger the queen must die under Twylla's fatal touch.

Only Lief, an outspoken new guard, can see past Twylla's chilling role to the girls she truly is.

Yet in a court as dangerous and the queen's, some truths should not be told...

My Musings

Kept seeing this gorgeous cover on Instagram and was immediately drawn to it so was glad the book lived up to expectation! Twylla has been chosen by the Gods to marry the prince but before they come of age she is the Queen's executioner carrying poison in her skin and with one touch can kill. 

Twylla is complex, she is proud to be chosen but is isolated and when the Queen orders her to kill her only friend for being a traitor she becomes more withdrawn and begins to doubt her role and life. 

Her new guard Lief is suddenly the only one guarding her as no one else dare take the job. He also happens to be both hansome and charming. They form a close friendship as the Queens rule becomes more and more cruel so when her betrothed, Prince Merek starts to reacquaint himself with her it forms the obligatory love triangle, or does it? 

This book has a way of keeping you off balance all the way through. The plots, the characters, the very essence of the book keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat. The plot is fascinating and complex twisting and turning up until the very end. 

This is also a much darker book than I expected. Melinda's interesting use of the old fairy tale the Pied Piper and the smattering of historical reference nodding to certain Royal family's incestuous marriages to keep the blood line pure certainly added an extra edge to the story.  It has real depth of character and I was totally taken aback by the ending. No Spoilers but I didn't see it coming at all! Was actually quite shocked by the turn of events and yes, a little upset. However even though you are left on a major cliffhanger there is hope for Twylla and I can't wait to see what happens next. 

Official website for Melinda Salisbury

www.melindasalisbury.com

Her Twitter Account

AHintOfMystery

Book Review: Uprooted by Naomi Novik

Synopsis

Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life.

Her people rely on the cold, ambitious wizard, known only as the Dragon, to keep the wood's powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman must be handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as being lost to the wood.

The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows - everyone knows - that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia - all the things Agnieszka isn't - and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her.

But no one can predict how or why the Dragon chooses a girl. And when he comes, it is not Kasia he will take with him.

My Musings

A fantasy novel drawing deeply from the fairy tales of old and ancient magic seeded in nature itself. I loved the feisty heroine Agnieszka who is certainly not a damsel in distress.A plain girl always in a delightful mess, running in the wild and best friends with the beautiful and capable Kasia I was immediately involved in her character and wanted to know where her journey led. Their local wizard, known as Dragon keeps the  evil and magical wood at bay from the villages and in return he picks a girl every ten years for, we don't know what. This time surprising everyone,  he picks Agnieszka and whisks her off to his castle

I loved the beginning of their relationship where they are both polar opposites, she is messy and unpractical while he is unsociable, clinical and clever. His calm ordered life is totally upset by her chaotic natural and wild spirit.They are totally perplexed and irritated by each other.  It is only when he finds that it is that very spirit that is able to tap into a form of natural magic that he cannot they begin to work together. I would personally have loved to see their blossoming romance given more depth and more importance in the story but for some readers they will find it a relief. I never really engaged with the Dragon as I felt he never truly left his guard down which was  a shame. Kasia however really grew in character as, being the only one without magic had to be extraordinarily brave and was therefore the true heroine of the story.

When Agnieszka saves Kasia from the evil wood it starts a chain of events neither girl could have foretold. Hearing of their rescue Prince Marek, demand they go back to the wood and rescue his mother who has been kept prisoner there for years and years. This doomed rescue sees them fight for their lives and stir up a hornets nest of trouble back in court. Machiavellian plots and untamed magic set the scene for an epic adventure of two girls plucked from obscurity to play a major part in the country's future.

 I felt the first half of the book really takes you on a roller coaster ride but as the plot and descriptions get more complex it really slows the reading down and at times I felt it muddied the novel. I just wanted to see what happens next. However, saying that I really feel Novik is a true storyteller that sweeps you along to a faraway place full of strong and colorful characters. My small niggles are really down to reader preference and I know that a lot of lovers of fantasy fiction will truly love this book from a very talented writer.

If you like this you might like
The Hobbit by Tolkein

Book Review The Queen of Tearling by Erica Johansen

Synopsis

Her throne awaits . . . if she can live long enough to take it.

It was on her nineteenth birthday that the soldiers came for Kelsea Glynn. They’d come to escort her back to the place of her birth – and to ensure she survives long enough to be able to take possession of what is rightfully hers.

But like many nineteen-year-olds, Kelsea is unruly, has high principles and believes she knows better than her elders. Unlike many nineteen-year-olds, she is about to inherit a kingdom that is on its knees – corrupt, debauched and dangerous.

Kelsea will either become the most fearsome ruler the kingdom has ever known . . . or be dead within the week.

Combining thrilling adventure and action, dark magic, mystery and romance, The Queen of the Tearling is the debut of a born storyteller blessed with a startling imagination.

"I couldn’t put the bloody thing down. It would be fair to say I became obsessed with the role and the book" (EMMA WATSON)

My Musings

The story starts by setting the scene as if from an old classic fairy story. Kelsea has been looked after by an old couple isolated in a wood with only her books as company. On her nineteenth birthday a group of soldiers come to take her to her kingdom and her birthright. Kelsea has been told nothing of her parents or her heritage only that she is the rightful Queen. Totally unprepared with only the strength of her convictions to guide her they travel to the city and on this journey we get to know more about the harsh world she is born to rule , her enemy the Red Queen and the men sworn to protect her. On the way she has to prove to them she is worthy of their loyalty and visa  versa.

This book is like an onion peeling off the layers to reveal more trouble, more about her past and about her magical gifts that are a surprise to her and to everyone else.

By the time she arrives in the capitol to depose her vain and selfish uncle she realizes the terrible legacy she has inherited and vows to stop the cruel price their enemy, The Red Queen demands from them.

One of my favorite characters is Mal, her formidable knight who becomes her loyal servant and a linchpin for the book. I loved the relationship, camaraderie and loyalty between the knights and how each carry their own scars making them even more endearing and attractive to the reader. There is also added spice and mystery of Fetch the King of thieves on which Kelsea definitely has a crush. This, you feel , is a relationship that will hopefully develop in the next books as it is only touched on here. Is her admiration returned? What is his real identity?

 There are so many twists and turns in this book it positively leaves you breathless. The end also leaves us on massive cliffhanger with Kelsea's country on the brink of invasion. Can she fend of The Red Queen? Who is her father and why is it such a big secret? Why does she have magical powers?

So many frustrating questions, it really keeps you hooked. Both plot and characters are very strong as is the world building. Although you could say this was dystopian I would personally put it into the fantasy realm. Its nods to the legends of King Arthur with his round table and Robin Hood and his Merry Men and the plot certainly keeps you guessing  and on the edge of your seat. There are strong themes of loyalty, friendship and the pitfalls of power laced with adventure, magic and a touch of romance to wet the appetite.

This is the impressive debut novel by Erica Johansen and I can't wait for book two out now in Hardback

If you like this you might like

The Magicialns Guild by Trudi Canavan
The Graceling by Kristin Cashore
The Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Book Review: My Secret Rockstar Boyfriend by Eleanor Wood

Synopsis

An irresistible romance is perfect for anyone who has ever had a celebrity crush (everyone).

Geeky girl meets famous boy . . . what could go wrong?

Tuesday Cooper is happy being normal -doing her a-levels and indulging in her twin obsessions: buying weird vintage clothes in charity shops and writing her beloved music blog (which nobody ever reads). Her love for music started when she was thirteen and had a massive crush on Jackson Griffith, teen rock god and SUPER HOT LOVE OF HER LIFE. Now Tuesday's eighteen and has moved on to fancying boys in real life and Jackson went off the celebrity radar years ago.

So it can't be him that's messaging her on her blog, can it?

From one girl's computer to the pyramid stage at Glastonbury Festival, this is a love story for anyone who has ever wished that someone would sing a love song just for them.

Dreams can come true . . .

My Musings

This coming of age book is written in a witty conversational manner that is part diary, part blog and is very hard to put down!!.

Tuesday is a bright,  geeky self depreciating eighteen year old in the middle of her A levels. She has a lesbian best friend, a wannabe rock star boyfriend and a lovely but slightly flaky mum. She also loves vintage clothes and retro pop.

The book starts as if we have been dropped into the middle of her life while she continues to write her musings on her blog which is only read by her mum and friends. Or so she thinks.

Out of nowhere a guy calling himself Jackson Griffith, (former wild child, now reclusive, pop star) starts chatting to her as she is a fan. This throws up no end of problems. Tuesday is unsurprisingly dazzled by the attention of this gorgeous twenty something pop star and throws caution to the wind. (Wouldn't we all?) and sets out to meet him in secret. They get on so well he invites her to Glastonbury.
Should she go just before her last A level?

The reader is taken along for the ride and it is easy to see why she goes against all her good girl principles. I think we all want to be a little wild at some point in our lives!! We travel with her to Glastonbury the weekend before her last A level and meet  a colorful array of characters and discover why not everything that glitters is not necessarily gold. Having a Rock Star Boyfriend may not be all that's it cracked up to be and reality hits when after an amazing time  Tuesday needs to get back for her exam.

I won't spoil the end but Tuesday comes back from her adventure a little less naive, a little more tougher and also more sure than ever about what she want's to do with her life.

A great holiday read that will take you on a rock and roll adventure and leave you with a smile on your face.

Ps, Don't forget to read the authors note at the end for her inspiration for this story which really made me laugh. Fact is stranger than fiction it seems!!
Publisher Pan Macmillan

PB ISBN 978144727787

#EleanorWood #BookReview #TeenRead #SummerRead #YAFiction #Contemporary #Glastonbury #Vintage

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The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot