KIRKUS REVIEW
A coming-of-age story complicated by regicide, superhuman powers, the duty to protect a kingdom and one hot surfer.
Despite Rissa Marin’s prowess at field hockey, her body aches for the sea—but once in the water, things get complicated. Rissa is no ordinary 16-year-old. Although she appears human, Rissa is actually Aquarathi, an alien race of sea creatures with superhuman powers that intensify in water. As heir to the throne of the deep-sea Aquarathi kingdom of Waterfell, Rissa has been sent on land to intermingle with humans in preparation for her role as queen. While she is there, Rissa’s father is murdered, making her fearful to return to Waterfell to face her father’s killer and rightfully claim her throne. Despite her sense of duty, Rissa’s fear paralyzes her, and she grows content in her human guise—so much so that she unexpectedly finds herself falling for the new, attractive surfer, Lo, who mysteriously arrives at her school. Although the tale starts off slowly, thoroughly introducing Rissa and her fantastical race, it pays off; as it quickly picks up the pace, Rissa and her painful dilemma both compel. Just the first installment in a series, this text nevertheless delivers a complete story arc while leaving enough loose ends to make the next installments tempting.
A fantastical surf-and-turf romance. (Paranormal romance. 14-17)
