There are a lot of reasons to pick up this book and read it -- magic and mermaids, and villains and dolphins. These will be very appealing to middle grade readers and for those elements I give it 4 stars. Overall, though, the transformation of the main character happened too quickly without enough development.

3,25 stars
I was really excited to receive an ARC of this book, since the blurb sounded fun and adventurous. Mermaids, villains, dolphins and magic... It was a good combination. I really liked the side characters and the atmospheric images of the people and surroundings.
In my opinion, there could've been a little less side information. It didn't seem necessary at some points. Penelope also transformed from a 'regular girl' to an adventurous heroine real fast and the ending of book 1 wrapped up real fast. I'm hoping for a little bit more long lasting action in book 2. Regarding the choice Penelope has to make at the end of the book... I know what I'd choose :)

This was not what I expected when I requested it, and I need to start this review by saying that I can’t give a fair review. But the prose wasn’t for me: there were word-usage issues, the story felt rushed, and the overall style just didn’t work for me. I am, however, not the target audience.
The story will appeal to middle grade readers who may not notice the faults I found in the writing, and those of us who have a responsibility to get stories into their hands aren’t there to gatekeep a good story because it’s not written for grown ups.
What worked:
The family structure: Penelope, the protagonist, lives with her grandparents because her parents were lost at sea. Her grandmother is suitably grandmotherly but her grandfather is cold and strict and - from the outset - behaves oddly. He is sinister from the outset and it’s refreshing. Most writers would put the antagonist at least a bit farther away.
This is a mermaid story, but it isn’t a goopy mermaid story. Even for the reader who figures out where it’s going, it will likely feel fresh and inventive.
The story is both engaging and easy to follow; for younger readers who struggle with focus when tackling multiple narratives or changes in time or setting, this may be an excellent fit.
Peterson does a great job building a sense of place, and the descriptions she gives as Penelope goes from Pastel Bay to The undersea city to The Sea Witch are all evocative and particular.
What I’m torn on:
The ending. I won’t give it away, but it’s open-ended. It’s not something I mind as an adult reader, but as a child I’d have defenestrated any book that ended the way this one did and vowed not to read anything else by the author. It’s not that I needed to know what happened, it’s that I want some indication the author knows, and that isn’t the case. It feels like an easy out.
What didn’t work:
I have an irrational loathing of the name Fawn. Penelope has a best friend named Fauna, which is marginally better but then goes and calls her Fawn. In every instance my ridiculous brain went, *why not FAUN?!* and this is a single example of all the small stylistic choices that just didn’t work for me. But it is unlikely a child reader will be so judgmental.
The conch shell pendant. Again, call me picky but I have never seen a smallish conch. The ones my father found were enormous. I suppose when they’re wee baby conches perhaps they have pendant sized shells? But why not some other shell? How did no one ask the author, *are you sure…?* so that every blessed time it got mentioned I didn’t think of Piggy in Lord of the Flies.
I’m giving this one four stars from the child reader I was and two from the curmudgeonly fellow I am, which I will average out to three. That being said, I think in the hands of a different editor, and with perhaps one more draft to smooth the hurried spots, this would have been a five star read.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adored this book! Penelope is such an interesting character to follow and I felt for her so much. This was such a fun and heartwarming read about a resilient and strong girl.

this book felt magical reading it. it was like being taken into our main characters life and going along with all her emotions and thought processes. it was all so much more than a mystery. it held so much feeling in its pages both of what she was going through now but also of the location she was in too. the descriptions were on point and i felt like i could imagine it all.i felt sad for Penelope but she also seemed to have so much strength.
i really enjoyed this book. ive never read Sophie's books before but i will be sure to read more from her if i get the chance.

Penelope Irving and the Secrets of Pastel Bay by Sophie Peterson is such a good book. I loved the experience of reading it. I totally recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good.