Sea Witch Rising
Sarah Henning’s Sea Witch Rising is an enthralling conclusion to her Little Mermaid retelling, highlighting the clash between the forces of land and sea in an epic battle for freedom, redemption, and true love. Alia traded her voice to the Sea Witch Evie for a chance to win a human prince’s love, but his rejection will literally kill her, and her twin sister Runa refuses to let that happen. In addition, Evie seeks her own freedom, but it may require an exchange she isn’t willing to make. With their hearts’ desires at odds, what will Runa and Evie be willing to sacrifice to save their worlds?
When I heard of this book, I wasn’t sure what I would find inside. I felt Sea Witch had a satisfying conclusion and I wasn’t sure what direction Henning planned to take it. But I was pleasantly surprised by what I read! I like how Evie was written in this story. Many years had passed since she became the Sea Witch, but you could see remnants of the human Evie still there. She only wanted to help Alia, but she couldn’t foresee the outcome. I still wish Evie could have had her happy ending with Nik in Sea Witch, and I appreciated how Henning touched on Evie’s loss.
Henning dug deeper into the workings of the sea kingdom, sea magic versus land magic, and the imbalance between the two kinds. Runa’s journey to understand how land magic worked and to help witches who had been disconnected from their true power was interesting to read. When Runa chose to stay on land and not be her father’s tool, she gained a new family and a new purpose. With her choice, she honoured Alia.
The importance of sisterhood cannot be overstated in Sea Witch Rising. From Evie’s interactions with Anna’s spirit to Runa and Alia’s and Runa’s relationship with her other sisters, Henning showed how the bond between sisters is strong enough to withstand the most powerful of magic.
I enjoyed picking out the details from the original Little Mermaid fairy tale in this retelling. Henning’s added twists were delightful to read. It inspired me for my own work and encouraged me to think outside the box.
Sea Witch Rising is a heart-wrenching story about the complications of sisterhood, the uncompromising nature of magic, and the cost of redemption. This epic retelling does not disappoint.
Sea Witch Rising Rating: ★★★★
When I heard of this book, I wasn’t sure what I would find inside. I felt Sea Witch had a satisfying conclusion and I wasn’t sure what direction Henning planned to take it. But I was pleasantly surprised by what I read! I like how Evie was written in this story. Many years had passed since she became the Sea Witch, but you could see remnants of the human Evie still there. She only wanted to help Alia, but she couldn’t foresee the outcome. I still wish Evie could have had her happy ending with Nik in Sea Witch, and I appreciated how Henning touched on Evie’s loss.
Henning dug deeper into the workings of the sea kingdom, sea magic versus land magic, and the imbalance between the two kinds. Runa’s journey to understand how land magic worked and to help witches who had been disconnected from their true power was interesting to read. When Runa chose to stay on land and not be her father’s tool, she gained a new family and a new purpose. With her choice, she honoured Alia.
The importance of sisterhood cannot be overstated in Sea Witch Rising. From Evie’s interactions with Anna’s spirit to Runa and Alia’s and Runa’s relationship with her other sisters, Henning showed how the bond between sisters is strong enough to withstand the most powerful of magic.
I enjoyed picking out the details from the original Little Mermaid fairy tale in this retelling. Henning’s added twists were delightful to read. It inspired me for my own work and encouraged me to think outside the box.
Sea Witch Rising is a heart-wrenching story about the complications of sisterhood, the uncompromising nature of magic, and the cost of redemption. This epic retelling does not disappoint.
Sea Witch Rising Rating: ★★★★