Review: It didn't seem like the sort of boat that got lost at sea.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 23, 2012
Quick & Dirty: Adventure on the high seas including magic, mermaids, and mayhem.Opening Sentence: It didn't seem like the sort of boat that got lost at sea.The Review:Arcadia "Cady" Bell is back with a whole new challenge.  Jupe Butler, 16 yr. old son to Cady's sexy boyfriend Lon, came into his demon ability during the last book, Kindling the Moon; and boy is it a doozy.  Jupe can influence people and make them do whatever he wants.  Rightly, Cady and Lon want him to explore the limits of this new ability where he can't do too much damage.  Along with Cady's partner, Kar Yee, they charter a boat for the afternoon to do just that.  What can go wrong with them all alone surrounded by the endless sea? Well, let's just say that Cady has never had that kind of luck.Jupe's talent is scary to think about anyone having, let alone a teenage boy.  The potential for disaster is staggering.  Luckily, Jupe has the love and support of his father and Cady to help him through the adjustment. Can Jupe learn the lesson of "with great power comes great responsibility" without having to do it the hard way?  And for that matter, can ANY teenager appreciate the consequences of their actions without having to go live through it first?The Captain on this sea-faring voyage has issues of his own.  Cady notices the protective wards that surround the entire ship and begins to worry that they may have more to be concerned with than just Jupe's training.  Will the Captain's problems become the groups as well?  I love the fact that, no matter where they go, Cady and company seem to invite trouble to tag along with them.  At this point, shouldn't the characters realize this and start to plan accordingly?The storm that begins to ravage and rage against the boat is a great metaphor for the series as a whole.  Not one to back down, Cady seems to battle forces much greater than herself on a consistent basis.  Like the weather, these forces are unstoppable and hard to bypass.  While she may be beaten down by the wind and rain of overwhelming odds, Cady never gives up and continues on.  She is an inspiration to those around her as well as those that follow along on her journey.Though this novella has serious themes to it, it doesn't lose the trademark humor that is found in the rest of the books.  The fact that this little make-shift family can still joke and laugh with one another during the most trying circumstances is one of the many reasons that keep me coming back for more.  Bennett delivers, yet again, another great tale that only whets my appetite for the next book.Leashing the Tempest is filled with demon disasters and daring deeds.  While it may be a novella attached to the Arcadia Bell series, it can be enjoyed as a standalone.  Perhaps it will serve as an incentive for those that have yet to experience the coolness that is Cady.FTC Advisory: Jenn Bennett provided me with a copy of Leashing the Tempest.  No goody bags, sponsorships, "material connections," or bribes were exchanged for my review.  The only payment I receive are hugs from my little boys.