My Review of Florence and an Interview with the Author

Today is the release of a fantastic new Young Adult novel!

Florence by Ciye Cho

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.

I want to thank Ciye Cho for taking the time to be on my blog today and for doing this interview with me! It has been such a pleasure getting to read his book! 

Ciye Cho lives in Australia and works as a graphic designer. He writes YA novels in his free time--

His head is often lost in the clouds or some place far from reality...

If you would like to know more about the author and his debut novel

Please visit Ciye Cho's website @ Florence Books

He is also a Goodreads author and his page can be found ~HERE~

Also, make sure you follow him on Twitter! @CiyeCho

If you wish to purchase your own copy of Florence:

For the paperback or Kindle version go to AMAZON.com

It is also available from Amazepop and Smashwords

~INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR~

Q: What gave you your start as a writer?
A: I've always loved daydreaming, so that's how it started.

Q: Have you always pictured yourself writing YA?
A: I don't know if I ever pictured myself writing YA, but YA fantasy is a genre that people turn to when they need an escape... so that's probably why I love it so much.


Q: If you had to pick one character from your childhood that influenced your love for fantasy who/what would it be?
A: Maybe Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.


Q: Do you have a favorite author or book?
A: "The Little Prince" is my favorite book. My current favorite author is Ricardo Pinto.

Q: What is your biggest inspiration for your stories?
A: Nature is a big one. I love nature docos--and find it staggering how much goes on below the waves. There's so much beauty in the ocean, and (in many cases) nature itself is far stranger than any story I've ever read.


Q: What has been your greatest writing challenge?
A: Trying to create realistic characters.


Q: Where did your concept of merpeople come from?
A: I've always wanted to write a mer book. Something colorful, vivid, and otherworldly. Something different.


Q: Is the Meridian language based off any other language?
A: It's incredibly similar to English, but the mer words were meant to be melodic and somewhat organic. I was also inspired by scientific names (for example, the Latin ones that sound both foreign and familiar).


Q: Is Florence's character based of anyone in particular?
A: Yes and no. No, in that she's not modeled off anyone, but yes in the sense that I think everyone (myself included) knows what it's like to struggle to fit in. Everyone goes through life trying to find their place... and Florence is certainly based on that feeling.


Q: Where is your favorite place to write and what do you snack on?
A: My favorite place to write would be my bedroom. As for snacks, I love peanut butter sandwiches.
 
Q: Do you have any novels in the works?
A: I'm planning on writing a sequel to "Florence."

~MY REVIEW OF FLORENCE~

Florence has received four shining stars from me!

Ciye Cho is a promising new young adult author and I am so pleased I have gotten the chance to review his debut novel. 

I never thought I would like a plot line involving mermaids. I suppose it seemed slightly childish. But, Florence is in no way childish! It is a wonderfully written story full of enchantment and adventure as well as a little danger and romance.
Ciye has crafted a mesmerizing underwater world, from the people and their society to the animals that share it. Niemela's structure is detailed and well thought out. It is such a stunning place and Ciye has quite a way with imagery. He didn't miss a thing with Florence! I was pulled into the waves of this story from the very beginning. 

You really get to know the characters through out the story and I was impressed with Florence's character. I really enjoyed her as a main character. At first she is presented as shy, someone more in the background. You quickly learn that she is also brave, smart and able to keep her head straight even under circumstances. She just wants to belong somewhere, be wanted and accepted.

The romance aspect of Florence is quite enjoyable as well, even though it is not the main focus of the story.

The brothers are intense and I enjoyed both of their characters as love interests and heroes to their world.

Kiren and Rolan are almost complete opposites but they both share a passion for their world and the protection of it.

The plot is full of twists and turns, just when you think you have Niemela figured out, something new is exposed.

I love the concept of the Darkness and it's prominent presence in Niemela. It makes for a captivating and sinister antagonist to this story.

There are plenty of unanswered questions at the end of this book, leaving it perfectly open for the sequel. You are left wanting more of this fascinating new world and the characters in it.

I would gladly recommend this book to anyone, young or old, that loves fantastical worlds full of mystery and adventure.