MER-CHARMER
(World of Aluvia, Book 2)
by Amy Bearce
by Amy Bearce
Middle Grade Fantasy
Curiosity Quills Press
Cover Artist: Amalia Chitulescu
Fourteen-year-old Phoebe Quinn is surrounded by magic, but she can’t muster any of her own. Her sister is a fairy keeper. Her best friends are merfolk. And all she does is dishes and housework.
When Phoebe finds out a terrible sea creature is awakening that preys upon the peace-loving merfolk, she becomes determined to help them, even though it means going with Tristan and Mina to their home deep in the sea.
Beneath the waves, Phoebe learns she’s more like her sister than she realized. The merfolk are drawn to her, and she can sense the magic of the sea all around her. Magic is finally at her fingertips, but that’s precisely why the stirring dark power under the waters decides it wants her most of all.
Now she must not only help the peaceful merfolk escape this ancient enemy, she must master her out-of-control powers. If she fails, she will die and darkness will rise and enslave the merfolk once more. But embracing her full power could cost her the very people she loves the most.
MY TIDBITS
This is the second book in the series, and although I didn't read the first one, I had no problem diving into the world. In other words, this can be read as a stand-alone.
Phoebe is a fourteen-year-old girl who lives with her Fairy Keeper sister, an older sister who can communicate with the fairies and is to watch over them. Phoebe has survived a difficult past, isn't really worse for wear, but is a little jealous that she doesn't possess any powers like her sister. She's drawn to the sea and has merfolk friends, to the frustration of Phoebe's older sibling.
Phoebe is as any beginning teenager tends to be--feels ready to take on life, is frustrated by rules she's to follow, but still clings to her family. She has a lot to learn, which also includes trusting her own strengths. She's stubborn and a bit rebellious, but kind and thinks of others. In other words, she's a great teen and easy to sympathize with.
There's a lovely cast of side characters, each with their own personality and way of thinking. They harmonize with Phoebe in good and bad ways, bringing the story to life through the different, but understandable, ways of seeing and doing things. Even the opposing characters have their reasons for doing so.
The world is lovely. Small details surrounded with vibrant described images bring the underwater world to life. The feelings and emotions fit well to the surroundings, adding a nice level of depth. The danger is obvious and the plot usually maintains a nice pace. The romance adds a sweet touch which is sure to make reader's hearts beat faster.
Summed up, this is a beautiful, underwater fantasy, which I'd recommend to readers ages 11 to 14. Phoebe is a heroine to adore as she not only tries to discover a way to save her mer-friends but learns to embrace herself.
And here she is. . .
AMY BEARCE!!!
Amy writes stories for tweens and teens. She is a former reading teacher with a Masters in Library Science. As an Army kid, she moved eight times before she was eighteen, so she feels especially fortunate to be married to her high school sweetheart. Together they’re raising two daughters and are currently living in Germany, though they still call Texas home. A perfect day for Amy involves rain pattering on the windows, popcorn, and every member of her family curled up in one cozy room reading a good book.
Find Amy Bearce Online:
Curiosity Quills Press (CQ) is a small hybrid publishing company specializing in genre fiction of the highest quality. With 150+ titles in our catalog already and approximately 6 new books coming out each month, there’s never a dull moment at CQ. We work with major retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Audible to ensure that you, the reader, can find whatever you are looking for at your convenience.
Founded in 2011 by Eugene Teplitsky and Lisa Gus, CQ was initially a resource portal for writing and publishing, created in an effort to help writers, like themselves, survive the publishing industry. After rapid success, CQ morphed into publishing press that over time has solidified its share in the market. Now we spend our days searching for the next great escape!
