2.5 stars 
 This was so hard to rate!!!! I might yet change my goodreads rating because I really can't decide on it. 
 Here's the problem - I both liked and hated it at the same time. You think that's impossible? Think again. 
 First, to the good stuff! 
 I've already read The Selection and disliked it so I had almost no expectations about this one. This turned out to be the right mindset because I found myself entertained by the story. I liked the importance of female friendship and sisterhood in this book as well as the fact that it was a contemporary setting, which I didn't know when starting the book and thought it worked out quite well. I should also mention that I started reading this at 1am (the famous "just one chapter before bed") and ended up finishing the book at 5am because the story pulled me in and I couldn't stop until I found out what happens at the end. Also I quite liked the portrayal of the Ocean and the whole Little Mermaid vibe that was strongly present throughout the book. 
 Now to the things that weren't so great... 
 I hate to say this, but this book has insta love, or even worse, transcendental love. Ugh, I just can't. There was practically no building of the relationship between Kahlen and Akinli (seriously?? what a horrible name), they went on one date and she was in love! I'm sorry, but I don't buy it even for a second and it irritated me to no end. Also most of the characters felt very flat and I couldn't connect with any of them, with the exception of Aisling, whom I really liked. While the story was fun enough, the last third of the book was just absurd. I can not count how many times I rolled my eyes at ridiculous plot devices, dialogues or Kahlen moping around. She was insufferable in the second half of the book! 
 The mythology left much to be desired, we weren't given many explanations about the Ocean or the Sirens, and worse, the few explanations that were given were downright ridiculous. 
 Here is a sum up of my reading experience: 
 MY BRAIN: "What are you reading, please stop!" 
 ME: "But it's light and fun!" 
 BRAIN: "My cells are dying as you read this." 
 ME: "I know, I know... but seriously, it's so much fun!" 
 BRAIN: "Why are you always doing this to us?" 
 ME: "Because I've been studying Theory of Law for the past month and I'm in desperate need of distraction. Now shut up and let me enjoy this."