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.
candideweekes –
Awakened by Roseanna M. White was an amazing read !
I really enjoy reading fairy tale retellings. Even though this story was loosely based on the little mermaid, I loved how Roseanna created a story with all the characters and the setting
All the beloved characters from the fairy tale are here and more !
Roseanna did an amazing job in creating a fantasy world where people can « change » into mer and live underwater 🙂
— I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. —
lanabobana –
As a fan of Roseanna M. White’s previous books, I could not wait to read this fantasy Royal book. It blew my expectations away! The characters are so masterfully developed, I felt as though they could be real friends letting me know what has been happening to them. And the way they interact with each other strengthens them and their relationships. The way they learn to deal with self-doubt and finding their purpose speaks to all of us. The story flows easily, sharing the history of this new world while building on it in the present. It feels natural how these new powers and ways of living flow off the page and into the imagination of the reader.
King Seidon, Arden, Jade, and a host of other characters bring this story to life with the love and devotion they have for their families and homes. Their faith strengthens them and guides them during these turbulent times. How can Jade be rescued and how is she the answer to peace? How will this new magic of wind and sky change the balance between mer and land dweller and who will control it when it is revealed? How will the lives of Seidon, Arden, and Jade be changed once it is Awakened?
I loved how easily this story moved. The deep love between sisters that leads Arden to places she never wanted to be in order to save her sister. The intrigue of Royal power and how it can be used for good or evil. The surprising twists throughout the story that make it that much better. And a romance that makes you sigh when you turn the page.
Roseanna M White has created a fantasy world I want to continue to visit. This story has stayed with me long after the last page was finished. The book pulled me in and I couldn’t wait to get through it just to find out everything it had to reveal, the only disappointing part being that it ended. If you love a great fantasy tale with Royals, romance and a small side of danger you will want to grab this book. And set some time aside because you will not want to set it down! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Kathryn Bochman –
Roseanna White has proven herself to be an outstanding author regardless of the genre. In Awakened, her first fantasy, we are in no way disappointed. This is a story of kingdoms, power, mermaids, and magic, all twisting together in a suspenseful plot that is utterly captivating. I could not help but immerse myself in this story, my imagination running wild with the fantastic romance before me.
White certainly outdid herself with this novel. I can only hope she has more fantasy stories up her sleeve!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own
Talita Adendorff –
Roseanna M White does it again and earns each and every one of the 5 stars.
‘Awakened’ just shows what an absolutely brilliant writer Roseanna M White is. Her talent for storytelling shines through in this romantic fantasy novel, and even though this is her first novel in this new genre, she absolutely nailed it.
Awakened is the story of Arden and Seidon who are working together to save her sister Jade, who has been kidnapped by the mer. It’s a fascinating tale of kingdoms under the sea and on land, and where some are blessed by ‘magic’ to make the world a better place, while others have to rely on the ordinary gifts they have also been blessed with.
There is incredible spiritual depth in this novel, and the twists and turns are incredible. I am not a big fantasy reader, but I will definitely be reading the rest of this series as it comes out.
One thing that could improve, and I am sure will improve as Roseanna explores this genre further, is the world-building. Fantasy needs some intense and very descriptive world-building to transport you to this new world, but once again, the characters and the story are so well written that it didn’t really bother me that the physical descriptions of places were not as detailed.
This book will take you on an incredible journey and will touch your heart.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book, but the views and opinions are my own.
laknermegan –
Roseanna knock it out of the park with this one! I always enjoy any book she writes, so when I heard she had written a fantasy novel I couldn’t wait to read it. As always she does a wonderful job with her world building, characters, and depth of faith. From the first page to the last I was immersed in the world of Daryatla. I’m actually quite sad to leave this fictional world, but I’m excited for more books in the series that will explore other areas of the world.
Arden and Seidon’s love story was swoony perfection. The push and pull between the two of them, whether they could be together or not, was artfully done and kept a perfect tension. I loved the big reveal in the middle of the book, though I’d already guessed part of it, it made it no less wonderful a surprise. I especially enjoyed how Roseanna wove faith throughout the story, keeping it well placed within that world but recognizable to the reader. The faith thread was never heavy-handed, and adds extra depth to the story.
I highly recommend this book. It’s a perfect story world to get lost in, and will easily end up be a re-read for me, which is a rarity.
*I read an early ARC of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
bloomingwithbooks –
Awakened
By Roseanna M. White
Awakened, a detail rich fantasy world that drew me in from the opening page, was worth the exploration. There are mer-people, not mermaids, this is an important difference. The Royal family of those who dwell on the land have a connection to the mer-people which results in the royals having an extended lifespan.
For generations mer-people and land-dwellers have had peace. But something has shifted and both groups are looking to tap into a new magic, one of the air. This story centers around King Seidon and sisters Jade and Arden. For some unknown reason Jade is stolen by the mer-people, threatening the fragile peace between the two groups. What has made Jade so special? And what of Arden? The answers to these may determine the future of their world.
Everything appears to have a blood link. Blood calls to blood. Blood determines your fate. There are a lot of fantastical elements throughout with a subtle nod to The Little Mermaid. Overall a good read with a clean dash of romance. This is not the author’s usual fare of historical romance but instead a lovely romantasy debut. The faith element was particularly appealing, in my opinion. This is one story world I would love to revisit and explore further. I would compare it to Gillian Bronte Adams’ The Fireborn Epic series but without the horses. It is more grown up than Narnia but has some similar vibes.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I give my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Maggie Rosario –
Roseanna White presents a fun romance in a fantastical world filled with magic and much submarine life in her newly released novel Awakened. The story was a page-turner and honestly quite difficult to put down. With the heavy emphasis on seaside (or seabottom) dwelling, the novel was a perfect fit for the balmy days of summer.
White’s character building and presentation was interesting and fun to read. While the characters were dealing with heavy matters – matters such as kingship and kidnapping – they were still quite relatable in their depiction as human beings, despite awesome magical powers. And, of course, I was quite pleased with the streak of humour which enlivened the interactions between Arden, Seidon, and Storm. I have rarely laughed aloud over a novel, yet some of Storm’s quipping brought out a chuckle or two!
White’s worldbuilding, both physically and in the heated political sphere, was intriguing and well done. The well-formed fantasy world is inhabited by a fairly good plot. The storyline is enlivened by well-paced action and building tensions, but I, as an infrequent romance reader, found the story too heavily ladened by romance at points. The romance scenes are still very clean and appropriate for the novel’s Christian audience, but I personally felt uncomfortable with the level of intimacy depicted for certain characters. It is mainly the romance aspect of the novel which makes for the three-star review – the rest is of the work is excellent!
Finally, I must make some comment on the interweaving of faith into Awakened. I am undecided on how to take White’s incorporation of the Catholic faith into the fantasy world as the same as the Church today, but sporting slightly adapted language. It was a bit strange to encounter a very Catholic faith – even if not so named – in a different world, but it was respectfully and positively represented.
Overall, a good, light read for summer beach days!
Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary copy of Awakened so I might offer an honest review. All opinions and views expressed above are my own.
jeanti.steenkamp –
“Awakened” by Roseanna M. White is a fantastic read that hooks you right from the start and doesn’t let go! The story revolves around Arden Bleu, a fiercely loyal sister who sets off on a thrilling adventure to rescue her sister Jade after she’s taken by a secretive group of mer. With the kingdom on the brink of war, Arden finds herself getting involved with Seidon, the mysterious Sea King, who longs for connection and family—something intricately tied to the search for incredible magic.
What I really loved about this book is how Roseanna beautifully incorporates themes of faith, love, and sacrifice. Arden’s determination to save Jade really highlights her bravery and love, while Seidon’s complex motivations add an interesting twist to the story. The world-building is interesting, filled with enchanting lore, especially regarding the elemental “magic” of wind and water. Each surprise keeps you on your toes and makes it hard to predict what will happen next. The characters feel real and relatable, and their struggles and victories resonate deeply.
Overall, “Awakened” is a delightful mix of high-stakes adventure, intricate concepts, and heartfelt moments that will truly capture your heart. Roseanna’s storytelling is so engaging that you’ll find yourself eagerly flipping through the pages to discover the fate of these memorable characters. I personally finished it in record time; I just couldn’t put it down. If you enjoy epic fantasy or just love being swept away by an amazing story, this book is definitely a must-read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
ssdawn2002 –
Roseanna M. White is one of my favorite writers. I was surprised to discover she had written a Romantasy, Awakened, but this should be her new go-to genre. The world-building was impressive and easy to follow. Her magic system was unlike anything I’ve seen before, with many fresh elements. The “awakening” ceremony happens in late teen years and shows whether someone has magic in their blood.
I especially liked Arden. She was selfless and loyal, staying true to her values no matter what. Even as she gained more power, her integrity never wavered. Arden’s journey taught her a lot about herself and others, making her wiser and more relatable. Seidon, the Sea King of Daryatla, was also an immediate favorite. He fit his role perfectly. Strong yet humble, he carried heavy responsibilities but believed deeply in the Triada — the God or Trinity. Power, to him, came from their guidance. While there is a Christian influence, it’s shown differently here.
This novel offers many exciting elements:
-Merfolk living beneath the sea
-A Romantasy with no spice
-A Sea King searching for his new Queen
-Betrayal, kidnapping, and a coup
-Characters showing true selflessness and honor
-Water and sky magic in battles
I loved this story, full of great adventure, intense danger, sweet love, powerful magic, and well-paced action. It had no cliffhangers, which was a breath of fresh air. The ending epilogue was perfect. I was thrilled to learn there are three more books planned for this series, each set in different kingdoms of this world.
paty.hinojosa –
Wow!! I had high expectations for Roseanna White’s first Romantasy, and I think this story surpassed them!
I’ve been waiting to read this story since the author announced that she was writing her first book in this genre. It was hard to imagine it after reading almost all of her Historical Romances, but I’m delighted that she took the chance at this genre. I have recently discovered some great clean fantasy books, but I think Awakened is my favorite yet.
Arden Bleu has always been shadowed by her beautiful and talented step-sister. But there’s no envy, their relationship is as close as if they were twin sisters. The Awakening celebration is nearing, and for the sisters, it may be a huge change of life, because they will both discover if they have magical gifts or not. Everyone is sure Jade will be one of the Awakened, because most of the people relate magic with beauty. But, before the awaited celebration, Jade is kidnapped by the mer people, who often have being at odds with the “land-dwellers” and things are complicating and progressively turning into a war. Arden doesn’t hesitate in running to rescue Jade, doing whatever is needed to save her. Even turning to the King, who has just returned to his Kingdom after many years of absence.
King Seidon, recently returned to his Kingdom Daryatla, his Kingdom, has been searching for a long time for his perfect match of bride. Someone he can connect to, and who can bear him children, the desired heir. But he hasn’t found her yet. Until one day, he feels a strong connection to someone under the sea. That’s when his search begins. As he helps Arden find her sister, a friendship grows, but the strong connection seems to be toward Jade. This is kind of a love triangle, and even if this is not my favorite trope, in this case it made the book even more engaging and intriguing.
There are so many things to love about this book: the magical world described with such detail was so easy to imagine it like a fantasy movie. I felt as if I was there, experiencing all the unique and exotic sceneries: the Royal Palace, the mer world under the sea, the switchable fins of the mer, etc. The plot was captivating, with unexpected twists and a great ending, that I appreciated it wasn’t a cliffhanger, but it does make you eager for the next book.
The best of all were the characters and the faith inspired message, naturally woven throughout the plot. I loved the main characters. Even the secondary too.
Arden was inspiring because of her humility, her loyalty and her courageous determination to save her sister. I loved the bond between Arden and Jade, in spite of being only stepsisters. They were so different, completely opposite, physically and in their personalities, yet they loved each other like real sisters and spent all the time they could together.
Seidon was a swooning hero. The wisdom coming from his age made him trustful, but empathizing and understanding. In spite of being “THE Sea King” he was down to earth and relatable. I loved the banter between him and Arden.
Jade was strong and determined. Having the attention of many eligible bachelors, she knows how to reject them kindly and still be friends with them. She has sass and dreams of studying at the university to venture out to the world and get to fight for the peace between Kingdoms. As Arden, she’s compassionate and has a heart of gold. Storm was a swooning hero too. Being a guardian of the King, he’s courageous and daring, but he loves fiercely. I particularly liked his bond and love for his sister Arden.
The romance was so sweet, and the way Seidon loves is heart-stopping. Sigh!
The inspiring message touched me. The theme of discovering one’s worth within and through God’s eyes (Triada’s in this case), and not on others opinions or expectations, the sacrifice of true love, trusting God’s will and devoting time to praise Him and serve Him. There was even a Church to attend in this magical world!
All in all, a book I highly recommend to Fantasy lovers. Ms. White writes in this genre with as much expertise as her historicals. A must read!
I received a complimentary copy from the author, but wasn’t required to write a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
kewkew34 –
I absolutely love all of the historical fiction that I have read by Roseanna M. White. So, when I learned that she was writing a book in one of my favorite genres, I was so excited. Awakened blew me away. Though I hadn’t realized it was going to be over 500 pages, so it took me longer to read than I wanted it to. But, when I got to around the 60% mark in the book I couldn’t put it down. I had to know how the story was going to end.
Awakened has mermaids and land dwellers, but not in the way you would imagine. The author created her own magical world which actually takes place many years in the future. If you are a Christian who is concerned about magic being part of the story, let me just say, it isn’t “magic” in the way you would normally think of magic. There are some people who have these powers which are discovered once they are “awakened,” but others remain “unawakened.” This power comes from the Triada, their name for God. A name that obviously comes from the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the author’s note in the back of the book, the author notes that Triada is the Latin word for Trinity.
We get to see three points of view as we read the story. The first is Arden Bleu, step-sister to Jade whose point of view we also see. It is believed that Jade is the one who is going to be Awakened at the upcoming ceremony. Jade who is going to be something special. Arden, on the other hand, doesn’t feel that she is anything special, especially because of the way those around them always seem to think Jade is the special one, and Arden isn’t. Arden can’t see her own beauty and importance because she is constantly comparing herself to her sister. But even though this could cause issues with some relationships, the sisters love and care for each other immensely. So, it is quite the devastation when Jade gets kidnapped, and Arden is determined to do whatever she can to help get her sister back.
Enter Seidon, the Sea King, who has just arrived back in the area after years away. His is the third point of view in the story. Now, you would think the “sea king” would be a merman himself and live in the ocean. But, not in Roseanna M. White’s world. Seidon is also a land-dweller, but he has the power to control water. While it is an important goal for him to find a wife who can bear an heir, he now has to deal with Jade’s kidnapping that seems to have political reasons. There is a lot going on politically between the land-dwellers and the mer, but also a lot going on between different factions of the mer. I admit, it take me a bit to get it all straight in my mind, especially with all the twists and political intrigue. But that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the story.
The author truly made this future world come to life. I grew to love and care for the main characters and their friends and family. And she really did a great job making the villains ones you can’t stand. She included some interesting twists, some that I was anticipating, but others that really surprised me. And I love the way God’s Word is entwined in the story, from stories from ancient times to prophecies to the importance of trusting in God and being humbled by his mercy and grace.
I fell in love with this world and am so glad to learn that the author has more books planned in this series. I can’t wait to read them. If you are a fan of Roseanna M. White’s books, but not sure what to think of the fact that she is writing fantasy, let me urge you to give the book a chance. If you are a fan of fantasy, you will also want to read this book. Highly recommended.
I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the review team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.