Title: Rise of the Sea Witch
Series: Unfortunate Soul Chronicles #1
Author: Stacey Rourke
Genre: YA fairy tale retelling
Release Date: June 19, 2017
Details of the sea witch’s banishment have been exaggerated. The body count that preempted it was not. Once an illustrious princess, her hands and tentacles were stained with the blood of thousands. No one could comprehend how the hooks of madness dragged her down from her life of privilege.
Born Princess Vanessa of Atlantica, the ambitious young royal was one of two children born to the great King Poseidon. She and her brother, Triton, were groomed from birth to rule. Yet only one would ascend that coveted throne. While carefree Triton flits through his training with a cavalier demeanor and beguiling charm, Vanessa’s hunger for her father’s acceptance drives her to push herself to the limits of magic, and combat to become a leader worthy of her people.
When war against the humans ravages their once regal kingdom, political sides are chosen. Factions from the seven seas challenge the existing leadership, pitting Vanessa against her brother in a vicious battle for the crown. Traitors are exposed, dark family secrets revealed, and a once strong sibling bond is strained to its breaking point.
Only when the ink black waters from the ultimate betrayal rescind, will the truth be known of how the villainous sea witch rose with one name on her vengeful lips–Triton.
Review:
Wow you guys what a book!
When I first started reading it, I could not decide if I liked it or not, but as I kept persisting with it, I then realized how amazing this is.
Truly!
We meet Vanessa a lovely mermaid princess and her little brother Triton. They are both fun and lead a nice life but Vanessa wants to be the next queen and Triton is more into about having fun. A lot of things come into play and destinies are forged!
This story is about how a whole set of circumstances, behaviors and decisions lead you to become what you never wanted to be. It was really a sad book and my heart broke out for her and at the end you know, all I could think of is that I really could not blame Vanessa.
I mean really, how much bad luck and betrayals can one person go through.
It is a bit extreme, but you know what this could happen to any one of us.
This isn’t a fun happy book, but there are many lessons to be taken from it for sure. I know this is book 1 of a series and I am really curious to see if book 2 will follow Ursela (that is Vanessa for you) further down her life or if we are moving to a new set of characters.
A part of me hopes we will keep on with her because there is one massive unresolved question regarding her love interest that we get no answer on. If you are curious you need to read on my darlings!
I think this was really a fantastic change of tone considering the recent books I have been reading and I am going to very highly recommend it to you guys.
I really hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
RONE Award Winner for Best YA Paranormal Work of 2012 for Embrace, a Gryphon Series Novel
Young Adult and Teen Reader voted Author of the Year 2012
Turning Pages Magazine Winner for Best YA book of 2013 & Best Teen Book of 2013
Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal Winner for Crane 2015
Stacey Rourke is the author of the award winning YA Gryphon Series, the chillingly Legends Saga, and the romantic comedy Reel Romance Series. She currently hard at work on the Unfortunate Soul Chronicles, and additional literary projects. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant dogs. She loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction, and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head.
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