Description
Where sea and land meet, two worlds clash in a fury of waves and wind.
Arden Bleu has always known that her stepsister, Jade, was destined for great things. In a world where beauty follows magic, she has no doubt that their upcoming Awakening ceremony will reveal that gorgeous, kind, compelling Jade is far more than a mere mortal. But when Jade is kidnapped by a mysterious sect of mer on the eve of the newly-returned king’s ball, Arden will do anything to save her sister. Even face down the man she’s always dreaded meeting because of the power he holds over her family, the man to whom her father swore loyalty long before she was born. The Sea King.
Seidon, the Sea King of Daryatla, has grown only more powerful as the centuries have gone by, but lifetime after lifetime have failed to give him what he most yearns for: a family. He knows that it will take a woman of extraordinary power to match him enough to create a child, and no such woman seems to exist…until he feels her magic calling to his one day in the water. And when Arden Bleu, daughter of his most trusted official, arrives to tell him about her missing stepsister, he knows this Jade, with a new magic so coveted that the Mer would risk war with his kingdom to steal her away, may be the one he’s waited centuries for. But how can he and the determined Arden ever hope to find one young woman trapped beneath the waves? Perhaps the Great Golden Sea Hawk who has guarded the sisters all their lives holds the key.
In a world on the brink of war between the mer and the land-dwellers, friendship, faith, and love demand the ultimate sacrifice as both kingdoms seek to unlock the prophesied magic waiting to spring forth: the magic of wind and sky. To the mer, it would mean the freedom to return to the land. To Seidon’s court, it would mean safety from every storm. But how can any human hand wield the wind?
bethany.aich –
Everything White writes is amazing, but I was interested to see if she could pull it off in a different genre. Boy howdy, did she. Awakened may be her debut fantasy, but it was riveting from first to last. There were some things I predicted and a lot I didn’t. I loved the world and the main characters and the magic system: basically, if it was in here, I loved it.
mgtnelson –
I am always amazed when an author is able to create a whole new world that makes sense to me in the speculative fiction/fantasy genre. Although the world in Roseanna White’s new romantasy (romantic fantasy) novel is based on our world, it is many, many years in the future, and life is a lot different than it is now.
I quickly fell in love with the characters and the world White has created, complete with mer men and maids, special gifting that allows some of the characters to live several hundred years, magic, giant eagles, and much more.
In the midst of all this, the emotions and challenges of the characters are familiar – those who are driven by pride and a desire for power, others seeking for adventure and excitement, some who feel left out, overlooked and useless, people who want to follow their dreams (which seem impossible), those seeking their Creator, and others denying His existence.
If you enjoy a good story with great characters, spiritual insights that apply to any age, and the fun of imagining swimming with a mermaid or riding an eagle, I think you’ll really enjoy this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
mindyhoung –
“Humans love without the vision of what will come. They love on faith. That makes it both more beautiful…and more terrible.”
I have always loved Roseanna M White’s historical fiction and now am enthralled with her romantic fantasy. It is a little longer than her usual books but so worthwhile. Not a single page is wasted in this fabulous world where the land, sea, and sky meet. The spin on “merfolk” in this story was fascinating and magic woven throughout the story was wonderful, refreshing, and honoring of the Triada, the allegorical Trinity. Faith thread ran strong in the story, especially in Seidon’s life; it was delightful to see a king depend wholly and solely on the grace and mercy gifted by the Creator. Seidon’s faithful and steadfast voice mingled with Arden’s impulsive and passionate voice perfectly while Jade’s determined but scared voice added depth and layers. And the banter between Seidon and Arden was amazing.
This is one of my favorite books of 2025 and I recommend it to anyone who loves epic romantic fantasy adventures. It looks like there are more novels to come and I cannot wait to meet people of other nations who inhabit this world. Bravo, Roseanna M White!
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of WhiteCrown Publishing and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.