Once upon a time, in a world far beneath the waves, there lived a powerful sea witch named Morgana. She was a mysterious and enchanting creature, with long flowing hair the color of the ocean and eyes as deep and dark as the abyss. Morgana ruled over the underwater kingdom with a combination of fear and respect, for her powers were immense and her knowledge of the ocean vast. Morgana had long been fascinated by the world above the waves, the world of humans and land-dwellers. She often spent her days watching the ships as they sailed by, wondering what it must be like to walk on solid ground. Her curiosity grew stronger with each passing day, until finally, she decided to take matters into her own hands.
"Readers who gobble up every watery paranormal story will certainly enjoy this angst-drenched tale of forbidden love." -- Kirkus Reviews
In many respects the lessons in this book go against the grain of traditional fairytales, advocating instead for being true to oneself and embracing what others might perceive as imperfections. Not only do Valentino s stories give readers the opportunity to explore villains they know and love, readers are also introduced to new characters that operate behind the scenes of classic Disney plots, giving tales-as-old-as-time a bewitching new twist.
Her curiosity grew stronger with each passing day, until finally, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Using her magic, Morgana devised a plan to transform herself into a human and venture onto the land. She knew that such a transformation would come at a great cost, but she was willing to risk everything for a chance to experience life above the waves.
Sea Witch - by Sarah Henning (Hardcover)
Ever since her best friend Anna died, Evie has been an outcast in her small fishing town. Hiding her talents, mourning her loss, drowning in her guilt.
Then a girl with an uncanny resemblance to Anna appears on the shore, and the two girls catch the eyes of two charming princes. Suddenly Evie feels like she might finally have a chance at her own happily ever after.
But magic isn't kind, and her new friend harbors secrets of her own. She can't stay in Havnestad--or on two legs--without Evie's help. And when Evie reaches deep into the power of her magic to save her friend's humanity--and her prince's heart--she discovers, too late, what she's bargained away.
Review Quotes
"This book reminded me of the magic inherently present in the best kinds of stories. Mystery and wonder abounds in SEA WITCH, and I fell in love with Evie's sharpness and her strong sense of self. Prepare to be lost in these pages for hours on end." -- Renée Adieh, #1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of The Wrath and The Dawn
"Henning's dive into Little Mermaid lore is equal parts dark and tantalizing. Like the sea it sings of, this story has a strong pull. I found myself unable to set it down!" -- Ryan Graudin, award-winning author of Wolf by Wolf
"All hail a new Queen of the Sea! Mystery, romance and revenge sweep you in--and there is magic on every page." -- Danielle Paige, New York Times bestselling author of Dorothy Must Die
"Deftly transforming a fairy tale into a richly layered exploration of culture and relationships, Henning tells the origin story of the Sea Witch from Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Little Mermaid.'" -- Publishers Weekly
"Readers who gobble up every watery paranormal story will certainly enjoy this angst-drenched tale of forbidden love." -- Kirkus Reviews
"This enjoyable read will entertain and be a great fit for collections where fairy-tale retellings are popular." -- School Library Journal
"This spin on "The Little Mermaid" is full of plot twists and heart-in-throat action.
Fans of twisted fairy tales will find plenty to love." -- ALA Booklist
Please note: this review CONTAINS SPOILERS. Do NOT read ahead if you have not read Books 1, 2 and 3.
With a wave of her hand and a whispered incantation, Morgana felt her body change, her tail splitting into two legs. As a human, Morgana found herself in a whole new world. She could feel the sand between her toes and the warmth of the sun on her skin. She marveled at the sights and sounds of the land, from the bustling cities to the whispering forests. Everything was so different, so vibrant, and Morgana was captivated. But as she explored the land, Morgana soon discovered that life above the waves was not all she had imagined. Humans, she realized, were not always kind or accepting. She encountered cruelty and prejudice, and her heart grew heavy with sadness. She longed to return to the underwater kingdom, to her watery home where she was revered and respected. With a heavy heart, Morgana returned to the sea. She had learned a valuable lesson about the power of acceptance and understanding, and she vowed to use her powers to promote peace and unity between the worlds above and beneath the waves. From that day forward, Morgana became an advocate for harmony, using her magic and wisdom to bridge the gap between humans and the creatures of the sea. The tale of the sea witch serves as a reminder that sometimes, what we long for may not be what we truly need. It teaches us to appreciate the world in which we belong and to cherish the unique qualities that make us who we are. And above all, it reminds us of the importance of acceptance and understanding, for it is only through these virtues that true harmony can be achieved..
Reviews for "The Haunting Songs of the Sea Witch"
- Sarah - 2/5 - I was really excited to read "A Tale of the Sea Witch" because I love fantasy and mermaid stories. However, I was extremely disappointed with this book. The storyline was confusing and disjointed, making it hard to follow and connect with the characters. Additionally, I found the writing style to be awkward and lacking in descriptive detail. Overall, I just couldn't get into this book and it didn't live up to my expectations.
- James - 3/5 - I had high hopes for "A Tale of the Sea Witch" as I enjoy maritime tales. Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, and it took a long time for the plot to really get going. The characters were not well-developed, and I found it difficult to care about their fates. While the concept was intriguing, the execution left much to be desired. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed by this book.
- Emily - 2/5 - I usually enjoy retellings, so I was excited to read "A Tale of the Sea Witch". However, I was quickly disappointed. The writing style felt juvenile and lacked complexity. The main character was unlikeable and made questionable decisions that were hard to understand. Additionally, the world-building was lacking, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story. Overall, I was left wanting more from this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
- David - 2/5 - "A Tale of the Sea Witch" had a lot of potential, but it ultimately fell short for me. The pacing was off and the story dragged on, making it hard to stay engaged. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the characters lacked depth. While the idea of a sea witch was intriguing, the execution left much to be desired. I found myself skimming through parts of the book, hoping for something more exciting to happen. Unfortunately, that never came.