Sea Witch

Sea Witch

by Sarah Henning

5 out of 5

Synopsis
Everyone knows what happens in the end.
A mermaid, a prince, a true love’s kiss.
But before that young siren’s tale, there were three friends.
One feared, one royal, and one already dead.

~~~~~~~~~~

Ever since her best friend, Anna, drowned, Evie has been an outcast in her small fishing town. A freak. A curse. A witch.

A girl with an uncanny resemblance to Anna appears offshore and, though the girl denies it, Evie is convinced that her best friend actually survived. That her own magic wasn’t so powerless after all. And, as the two girls catch the eyes—and hearts—of two charming princes, Evie believes that she might finally have a chance at her own happily ever after.

But her new friend has secrets of her own. She can’t stay in Havnestad, or on two legs, unless Evie finds a way to help her. Now Evie will do anything to save her friend’s humanity, along with her prince’s heart—harnessing the power of her magic, her ocean, and her love until she discovers, too late, the truth of her bargain.

The rise of Hans Christian Andersen’s iconic villainess is a heart-wrenching story of friendship, betrayal, and a girl pushed beyond her limits—to become a monster.



Review
Evie's life is far from easy. She lives in a town that despises witches, and despises her for being a common brat that claims the friendship of the heir to the throne. When a mermaid comes into her life, wearing the face of a dead friend, there is no turning back.

I received a free copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would.
I'm not much of a Little Mermaid fan, but I love stories of magic and witches.

This story is set in Denmark, and follows the descendent of the Witch-Hunter King Christian. Prince Nik is ready to uphold the traditions, and shuns magic and witchcraft, without knowing that his best friend Evie is a witch.

Evie was a great main character. She is both afraid of magic, and the costs it seems to take; but is also mesmerised by it.
She is a complete outsider, and the town has no idea how much she helps them, with her enchantments to bring more fish for their boats to catch, after years of meagerness.

Then there's Annemette, a mysterious girl who looks exactly like their long-deceased friend, Anna. She's so sweet and innocent, and so genuine in her love of Nik, that Evie can't do enough to make sure he loves her back.

For a book that is aimed at YA readers, and has its fair share of dresses, balls and romance; this is actually a very dark and unforgiving story.
There is a constant theme that the sea runs the lives of every character. It gives, and provides life and food; but it is just as ready to take. And what it takes can't be bartered or bribed.

I liked the way the ending echoed Hans Christian Anderson's Little Mermaid. As much as I want to say more, I won't spoil it for anyone.

I definitely recommend this one.

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