Book Review: "Ascension" by Kara Dalkey

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Nia is a mermyd, living in the underwater city of Atlantis. She is a descendant of an Avater: a mermyd chosen to make a psychic connection with the Farworlders, aliens who turned the humans of Atlantis into mermyds long ago. Nia is sure she will be chosen to compete to be one, but when things don't go as she planned, she's forced to rethink her life. And something seems odd about the trials. Nia is determined to find out the truth.

OUR CAST OF CHARACTERS

Nia is confident in her skills and her chance of being chose to be the Avatar. She is outgoing, athletic and dreams of overseeing Atlantis. She thinks she can make a difference. She is also slightly naive.

Cephan is Nia's friend and love interest. He is from a clan below her and often puts himself down. He shares a secret with her, perhaps to feel important.

Dyonis is Nia's grandfather, and a previous Avatar. He is kind to her, but refuses to answer all of her questions.

PACING

The pacing is decent. We jump into the story right away when those are chosen to compete with the trials. It sets many questions in motion about Atlantis. When Nia isn't witnessing the trials, she is investigating about the council or inquiring with her grandfather. There aren't many slow parts.

THEME

If there is one theme I picked up on, it's losing one's innocence and naivete about the world. Nia suddenly realizes that her world carries lots of secrets.

WORLD OF ATLANTIS

Dalkey creates a detailed world, with a unique history, clan system and government. It's a hierarchical system where people try to marry into clans above them and the government has a massive amount of power. It's sold almost like a utopia, where people don't often commit crimes bad enough to be jailed, and those that do commit such crimes are banished. Normally I would roll my eyes at trying to portray a utopia, but Nia starts to learn that her utopia isn't so perfect, and that there are many secrets.

A BETRAYAL-SPOILERS

Near the end of the book, Nia is betrayed by someone she trusts. It was a surprise to me, and I would have liked a few more hints. I wouldn't have even minded if it was obvious. It may have been more believable, seeing how Nia could have been blinded by her emotions.

FAMILY TIES

Nia isn't close to either of her parents. And her friend, Callimar plays a minuscule part in the story. The only person she trusts enough to confide in is Cephan. Even so, she doesn't know much about his life, as she admits. I think the story could have benefited from a relationship with someone who she trusted completely. Maybe a sibling, or a mentor figure. We could have seen another aspect of her.

AN IMPERFECT HEROINE

I understand that characters need to be imperfect, for realism and to show development. In the beginning, Nia is shown to be rather arrogant, believing she will most likely be chosen to compete. I thought it was a contradiction, seeing how she tries to look past clan status with Cephan. It would have served the story well if she saw her own hypocrisies.

Also, she acts slightly snotty when she meets Garun. I understand her thinking he was boring, but she came across as obnoxious. Again, if it showed her being kinder to him later, that would have helped. And when she refers to him being his "usual selfish self" later on, I couldn't help thinking, I thought he was just dull, unambitious, and sometimes pedantic. Now he's selfish too? It felt overblown.

VICTIMHOOD

Another point of contention I have is that pretty much everyone but Nia and Cephan are kind of jerks. Except for Callimar, but she is barely in the story. I am not even sure if she was necessary.

Her dad is distant and rude. Her mom is controlling and judgmental. Even her grandfather is rude sometimes. When we met Garun and he too, acted like a jerk, I felt a little annoyed. Was everyone in Atlantis a jerk, accept for Nia? The only reason this didn't put me off from reading the story was that there was enough time spent away from other characters, simply solving mysteries.

CONCLUSION

Dalkey creates a detailed world and an enticing mystery. If you like stories about mermaids I think you'll enjoy it. I give “Ascension” three and a half stars.

What do you think? Did you read the book? Do you agree or disagree with any of my views? Please let me know!