★★★ ½ @NetGalley @boldstrokebooks #TurbulentWaves
Between the mermaid on the cover and the blurb with an ff romance, I immediately wanted to read this book. New to me author Ali Vali takes me on a voyage thousands of miles under the sea. I am intrigued. This is book two and can be read as a standalone. There are enough references from to fill in the blanks of what happened in the first book.
Kai Merlin is the heir apparent to the throne of Atlantis. Yes, that Atlantis. I am always interested with how writers will reinterpret and design Atlantis. This is world is a mix of old ideas and new ideas. I like most of it. I find it fascinating that in this world, the original Atlanteans are not of this planet. This is plausible. What surprised me is this race of Atlanteans are essentially underwater Amazonians. Basically, there are no male mermaids. The reason for it is a bit of a stretch. Why? Because one of the main reasons why the females didn't want to keep males in their race is because of how a corrupt male leader could once again suppress the females. The only problem? They also have corrupt females that are power hungry and narcissistic too. This flaw aside, the story is enjoyable and sweet.
This story is all about Kai learning the full meaning of her fate, destiny... She was prophesized to do something that could bring her entire world down. I guess it depends on how one interprets prophesies which are notoriously subjective. Kai and her fiancée Vivien are in full swing of their marriage rites both sea and land customs as enemies of old surface and wreck havoc. I must admit, the f/f romance didn't do much for me here. Perhaps it is because I didn't read the first book. I felt nothing for Kai or Vivien.
What I did like about this story is how and why the Atlanteans came to Earth. I also particularly enjoyed the interludes to magical places under the sea. The palace and beaches and how the world under water is designed by Author Ali Vali is what really pulled me into this story. As an avid scuba diver, I wish I could have these gills that the Atlanteans have and that there really is an amazing underworld that we know nothing about. This paranormal romance is recommended to readers who love mermaids and happily ever afters.
*provided by NetGalley
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