LORELEI

Author: Lori Derby Bingley ISBN: 159088437X 8/2005 CONTEMPORARY Publisher: WINGS ePRESS

The legend of Lorelei states that she stood on the cliffs of the Rhine River, betrayed by the man she loved, and found revenge by taking the lives of those who looked upon her. She stood tall and beautiful, singing out to the sailors as they turned toward the treacherous rocks to their deaths. However, finding no peace in their demise, she placed her feet at the end of the cliff, diving head first into the water—hoping to end her own life. But there is no peace for her, as she does not die. Instead, she is pulled toward a warm light, with the promise of redemption in her hands. Her long blond locks turn raven black, as she emerges from the cold depths of the ocean - only to find herself on beautiful Prince Edward Island in Canada. She is deafened by the cries for help, and the sounds of lost or betrayed love. She knows what she must do. She must make amends for those lives she has taken in vain, by teaching a young woman about life, death, and love.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

LORELEI is a difficult read because it's slow and ponderous with too much narrative and too little action. And, LORELEI is gloomy. Only a die-hard melancholy will enjoy this because the subject of death and sadness permeates the story. I will say that the heroine, Amanda, was likable although naïve. I did not care for Gabe at all because he was sarcastic and immature. Lorelei is a hard book to finish.

Cynthia Whitten

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

LORELEI takes readers through the events of Amanda's life-just about every single thing that ever happened to this woman is told in this story. From her childhood, through her adolescence, college years, and into her 20's, we follow everything that Amanda does. I got bogged down with details about Amanda's youth for the first half of the book. I think that I understand why the author felt it necessary to include so many details about Amanda's life, to point to the pain she endured over and over again, but I believe that the story would have been more rewarding had it started with Amanda's college years.

I enjoyed the legend of LORELEI and the part it played in this novel, and I loved the relationship and feelings that formed between Amanda and Gabe. I was pleased with the last half of the novel and couldn't stop reading because I had to find out what would happen between Amanda and Gabe. This is a good novel, especially for readers who enjoy dramatic events that involve a lot of pain and loss for main characters who ultimately find reward and some happiness.

Carrye Syma