Just because you have never seen one, don't be so sure they don't exist?

That statement could mean a lot of things to you right? Now take out the word one and insert these two words: a mermaid. Still hard to believe? Not when you get swept up into this story. You will be wondering how you ever doubted!

Marissa knows nothing of the unusual circumstances of her birth or the truth of who she is. She does however know these things. She is drawn to the sea; so much so studying it and its creatures has become her life's work. And due to some mysterious and potentially fatal ailment she can never enter the one place she longs to explore. Her discovery of a new species of sea life and the changing of ownership of her place of employment cause turmoil in her life but she has no idea what the true extent of that turmoil will become.

Tylan is the king in his world. It is however, a world most people are unaware of because it is located below the ocean depths. When one of the creatures of his world is taken, he travels to the surface to retrieve it. What he finds at the aquarium is the last thing he ever expected and yet the greatest gift he can imagine. All will not proceed smoothly; there is an uprising below the waters and Tylan and his people's very way of life is threatened. But where does this threat originate and will Marissa herself become a pawn in this deadly game?

This story amazed me! The author created a world in which the existence of merpeople, as well as vampires and werewolves, exist alongside humans. Then she proceeded to develop that world so intricately that the possibility of this occurring not only was acceptable but also seemed normal. To me that is a sign of a great author to be able to allow the suspension of disbelief to the extent that you become not only embroiled in the story but accept the unbelievable as true. The characters are magnificent. There are so many great secondary characters in this tale, which cry out for their own story to be told, that Ms Monroe could be busy with this bunch for a long time. As a reviewer I welcome that to being, for it is easy to review a book that is a pleasure to discuss. As a reader . . . well lets just say . . . I salivate at the thought.

Reviewed By Johnna
© February 2005