Title: Seven Tears Into the Sea
Author: Terri Farley
First published April 1, 2005
279 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780689864421 (ISBN10: 0689864426)
Rating: 3.8
Overview
“Beckoned by the sea, Gwen Cooke returns to her childhood home at the age of seventeen. Her nana’s request is not the only reason for her homecoming – she longs to feel the salty breeze on her skin and hear the crashing waves once more.
As she steps onto the beach, memories of a strange encounter with a boy with dark, tilted eyes flood her mind. The boy whispered an enigmatic phrase in her ear before disappearing, leaving Gwen to wonder about the mystery of his identity.
With each passing day, she feels the pull of the sea grow stronger and begins to suspect that her destiny is intricately tied to the boy and his haunting words. Will she shed seven tears and unlock the secrets of her past, or will the sea claim her forever?”
About the Author
Meet Terri Farley, a talented author who has captivated readers with her books about the contemporary and historic West. Her PHANTOM STALLION series has sold over 2 million copies worldwide and is set to relaunch with new art and content in March 2023.
But that’s not all – Terri’s most recent non-fiction book, Wild at Heart: Mustangs and the Young People Fighting to Save Them (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), has been recognized as a Junior Library Guild selection, and has won the Sterling North Heritage award for Excellence in Children’s Literature.
While Terri is best known for her PHANTOM STALLION series, she has also authored a contemporary fantasy called SEVEN TEARS INTO THE SEA. But Terri’s work goes beyond just writing – she is a passionate advocate for the preservation of the West’s wild horses, and encourages young people to speak up and make their voices heard.
Editoral Review
Seven Tears Into the Sea, by Terri Farley, is a gripping young adult novel that explores the themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. First published in 2005, this book has captivated readers for over a decade with its vivid characters, haunting setting, and engrossing plot.
Terri Farley is a prolific author of young adult fiction, with many popular series to her credit. She has a talent for capturing the emotional depth of adolescence, and her characters often grapple with difficult issues such as bullying, grief, and family conflict.
Seven Tears Into the Sea is a standalone novel that showcases Farley’s skill as a storyteller. The novel is set in a small coastal town in California, where a mysterious girl named Gwen appears one summer.
She is immediately drawn to a local boy named Simon, who is struggling with his own demons. As they form a connection, secrets are revealed and conflicts arise.
Soon Gwen’s past catches up with her, and Simon must decide whether to trust her and risk everything he knows or let her go and protect himself. Farley’s writing is both lyrical and fast-paced, with vivid descriptions of the California coastline and the characters’ inner turmoil.
She weaves together folklore and realism to create a world that is both familiar and fantastical. The characters are complex and flawed, and their relationships are layered and nuanced.
The themes of identity and acceptance are subtly woven throughout the narrative, making for a satisfying read that is both engaging and thought-provoking. While Seven Tears Into the Sea is a well-crafted novel, there are a few flaws that can be addressed.
Some readers may find the pacing a bit slow in the beginning, and the ending may feel rushed. Additionally, the historical and cultural context of the Celtic folklore may not be fully explored, which could impact the reader’s understanding of the significance of the seven tears.
Despite these minor issues, Seven Tears Into the Sea is a must-read for fans of young adult fiction. It is a beautifully written novel that evokes a sense of magic and wonder, while also tackling serious themes that are relevant to teens today.
Farley’s characters are memorable and relatable, and her writing style is both accessible and sophisticated. This book would make an excellent addition to any young adult bookshelf.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars. While there are a few flaws, Seven Tears Into the Sea is a fantastic novel that is sure to capture the hearts and minds of readers.
Highly recommended for fans of young adult fiction that tackles serious themes with grace and beauty.
