Hello Readers,
Thank you,
Abigail, and Wunderkind-Pr for getting in contact and sending me an eBook copy
of Sea Witch Rising by Sarah Henning
Sorry Spoilers!!
If you’ve been around for a while you know how excited I
was when I learned that the first book in the series Sea Witch was a retelling
of the little mermaid but then finding out the
story was told from “Ursula’s” point of view I knew I had to read this book. Here’s
a link to my review of Sea Witch.
The epilogue at the end of Sea Witch was a killer and
when I realise that where Sea Witch Rising was going to pick up I was beyond ready to dive
in (Sea what I did there). Evie is now magically merged with the giant octopus
that haunted a local cove and is approached by a little mermaid named Alia
seeking her help to become human in order to win the love of the prince After
making a deal of her own with Evie (the sea witch), Alia’s twin sister Runa,
sets out to bring her sister back to the sea as she doesn’t want her sister to
die of rejection when the prince fails to declare his love. Evie desires
freedom from her role as the Sea Witch and seeks to challenge the Sea King,
whose magic has trapped her.
The story’s timeline puts it in that delicate point in
history where on land Denmark and the rest of Europe is poised for World War
II. The story becomes a little more political in a sense as naval mines and
U-boats have brought the land war to the seas and is threatening the lives of
the merpeople and the other inhabitants of the water. However, Sarah never
lets her tale get too deep
but keeps the stakes high and focuses more on friendship and sisterly devotion
than romance, although Runa does bond with a handsome young human. Also, the message of female empowerment and unity is
clear, without feeling overdone or cheesy. Sarah keeps her leading ladies
strong and capable, without being cliché.
The dual perspectives of Evie, the sea witch, and Runa,
the mermaid princess, opens up the story significantly, allowing the author to
explore multiple plot lines and themes. On one hand, there’s Runa who can’t
understand the appeal of the human world and is trying everything she can to
save her twin sister, she deals with a lot of identity issues throughout this
story. Her love for Alia shone through every page and although I’m all for a
cute romance, the strong sisterly love in this book was a refreshing change and
added a different dynamic. Runa was a strong protagonist alongside Evie and I
really liked her character. Runa refuses to lose her sister through such a
naive act for a spoiled prince.
Then we have Evie who is unapologetically jaded by her
own past, yet compassionate to those around her. Evie is really struggling with her lack of powerful
magic, trapped away from all she once held dear and has more humanity than
Disney portrayed and this led to a richer story for me. There’s also a
bittersweet, wistful tone that flows throughout her chapters, creating an added
depth to the character an you cant help but feel for her.
I really enjoyed this sequel and I think that’s down to
the fact that Runa and Evie are incredible characters. This story focuses on
love but not the romantic kind. Runa and Alia are two halves to one whole, and
Runa will do anything to save her sister. You also come to realise that
Evie became the witch she is now for some many heart-breaking reasons. We learn
that she became chained to her lair by the power-hungry Sea King and the decisions
that led her to her confinement. While we’re on the subject of The Sea King get
that nice fluffy image of King Triton out your head now! Okay ready for it… In
this retelling he has a need for power and magic above all else, he holds his
daughters close to him merely for their abilities and powers. He is a cruel man
and pretty much a dictator.
Sarah weaves the story lines we know from The Little
Mermaid and flips them in such a beautiful and magnificent way. I love her
writing style and loved how the magic on land and in the sea is built in such a
lyrical way.
I can't recommend this book enough you need to go get it
so I can talk to someone about it.
L x
L x
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