Laerka

What I Loved
I thought the choice of Savannah, Georgia as the setting for 'Laerka' was a great choice. Savannah is such a unique and beautiful place. It also has a rich history and a vibrant port culture. This makes it the perfect choice for 'Laerka' . The historical and nautical information was interesting and helped to add to the story line.
'Stella' herself as a character was well-rounded with a unique voice. Even though she is a teenage girl, she is very strong and self motived. She helps her father with his fishing business and is able to drive and navigate though Savannah's waterways with precision. I also loved the absent-minded professor that 'Stella' worked for. He was quirky and funny.
Another great 'character' was 'Laerka's' mermaid dress. It was able to not only transform the looks of the wearer but to also transform the way the way the wearer feels about themselves.
What Left Me Wanting More
One of the things that confused me a bit were major events that were just kind of brushed off without any follow through. Such as when 'Stella' finds a dead body in the canal and reports it to 911. The story never revealed who she was or who killed her. Another instance was when 'Stella' was told she could identify 'Larsa's sister by her ankle scar (seemingly from a fishhook). The whole incident with the fishhook was never explained but the characters spoke of it often.
The paranormal aspect of this book also confused me. I was totally could not figure out whether or not 'Laerka' was an actual mermaid or not and whether the man chasing her was really a river monster or not. The whole paranormal instances just seemed to be stuck into the story.
My Final Verdict
I really liked the premise of 'Laerka'. A teenaged girl discovers a mermaid and brings her home to her family. It is a unique twist to humanity's fascination with mermaids. 'Laerka' is a well paced story with a wondered backdrop and a strong female character.