The Sea Witch book is a captivating and enchanting story that takes you on a thrilling journey through an extraordinary world of magic and adventure. In this fantasy novel written by Sarah Henning, readers are transported to the kingdom of Prince Nik and Princess Evie, two childhood friends whose destinies are forever intertwined. Set in a dark and vivid underwater kingdom called Havnestad, the story follows Evie, a young girl cursed with a deadly power to drain the life and beauty from those around her. Desperate for a cure, Evie seeks out the mysterious Sea Witch, a powerful sorceress rumored to possess the ability to grant any wish. As Evie delves deeper into the secrets of the Sea Witch, she discovers the true cost of magic and the lengths she is willing to go to save herself and those she loves. With each chapter, the suspense and tension build, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
Sea Witch is an origin story for Ursula, the villain of Disney’s The Little Mermaid (though she has a different name). Perversely, I’m going to start at the end of the novel, as really, only the epilogue, set 50 years after the main story, has anything to do with the film: once we get there, the nods are strong, with dialogue very close to the Disney film, if not directly lifted from it. Even down to the polyps on the floor of the cave.
However, it is a lovely and well-crafted homage to a brilliant film, and it s really cool to see that scene from another perspective I just didn t feel it was necessary. After Nik nearly drowns too, four years later, things begin to take a turn for the weird, and we end up playing out the Little Mermaid story we all know the arrival of a mysterious girl, who must gain the love of a prince within three days.
With each chapter, the suspense and tension build, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Henning's writing is vivid and descriptive, immersing readers in the underwater world she has created. From the vibrant coral reefs to the treacherous depths of the ocean, every scene is brought to life with rich detail and imagination.
Sea Witch, Sarah Henning – Book Review
Hello Humans! Today I am reviewing Sarah Henning’s Sea Witch, that’s right – it’s time to add to the year of ALL THE RETELLINGS. I read multiple Little Mermaid retellings in June and (because I am a useless human who can’t immediately write book reviews) it took me a moment to tease them all apart! What makes this retelling different is that this is The Little Mermaid from the perspective of a friend of the prince, and with a dark undercurrent (pun intended).
Goodreads Summary:
Everyone knows what happens in the end.
A mermaid, a prince, a true love’s kiss.
But before that young siren’s tale, there were three friends.
One feared, one royal, and one already dead.~~~~~~~~~~
Ever since her best friend, Anna, drowned, Evie has been an outcast in her small fishing town. A freak. A curse. A witch.
A girl with an uncanny resemblance to Anna appears offshore and, though the girl denies it, Evie is convinced that her best friend actually survived. That her own magic wasn’t so powerless after all. And, as the two girls catch the eyes—and hearts—of two charming princes, Evie believes that she might finally have a chance at her own happily ever after.
But her new friend has secrets of her own. She can’t stay in Havnestad, or on two legs, unless Evie finds a way to help her. Now Evie will do anything to save her friend’s humanity, along with her prince’s heart—harnessing the power of her magic, her ocean, and her love until she discovers, too late, the truth of her bargain.
The rise of Hans Christian Andersen’s iconic villainess is a heart-wrenching story of friendship, betrayal, and a girl pushed beyond her limits—to become a monster.
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What I liked about this version of this story is that it felt very different from the original. Sometimes it can feel like a retelling is just a kind of mad-libs version of a story, where certain words have been swapped out for others but other than that the story continues as normal. In this case, the sense is more of a story rooted in the ideas in The Little Mermaid but with a more of a human perspective. I feel like I’ve read alternative Mermaid stories from the perspectives of princes, and mermaids but I’ve not read one that brought in a whole new character as this one does. I say new character, it’s a little more complex than that, but to reveal it would be spoilers.
It’s an interesting angle to take. So often in Little Mermaid retellings, once the mermaid is out of the water not only has she lost her voice but she also has no allies, there are no characters who truly relate to her – beyond the odd kindly servant. I thought the idea of creating almost a friendship between Evie and the Little Mermaid was a powerful tool through which to tell the story. I am always here for connections forged between women, but it feels particularly poignant in a story where the original has a voiceless woman in it.
I cannot speak to the accuracy or research done into the magic system in this book, but it feels fairly generic ‘villagers and long lines of witches’ without too many specific details. I didn’t mind that too much in this instance as part of the point is that Evie hasn’t studied her magic, that raw and uncontrollable aspect is a key part of her character.
I thought that the various relationships (other than that between the witch and the little mermaid) were interesting. I appreciated that Evie and the Prince were set up to be just friends, I am always a supporter of platonic love in books and I don’t read enough of it. There is also a romance in this story, wouldn’t be a retelling without a bit of romance, but I thought it was well handled and didn’t overtake the plot.
And what a plot. As I say this is a Little Mermaid retelling and then some. I think the easiest comparison I can draw is to The Wicked Deep. I had that same feeling of something being a little off but still being shocked when the reveal came. Obviously, I won’t spoil that here but I do think it’s an exceptional way of making changes to the original story while still retaining the melancholy nature of Hans Christian Anderson’s original story.
I read this book in one day, essentially, I thought it was paced well, it’s not a difficult read but it also doesn’t feel patronising or overly simplified. I enjoyed it hugely and will be adding it to my list of ‘mermaid books that don’t suck’.
My rating: 4/5 stars
I received a digital advanced review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
What say you? Which mermaid books are your favourites? Let me know in the comments below!
The Sea Witch book is not just a tale of magic and adventure; it also explores themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the choices we make in the face of adversity. Evie's journey is filled with heartache and difficult decisions, forcing her to confront her own inner demons and discover her true strength. Overall, The Sea Witch is a bewitching and captivating read that will leave readers spellbound. With its engaging storytelling and complex characters, it is a book that will be hard to put down. Whether you are a fan of fantasy novels or simply love a good adventure, this book is sure to satisfy your craving for a thrilling and magical tale..
Reviews for "Learn about marine life through these captivating sea watch books"
1. Emily - 1 star - I found "Sea Watch" to be incredibly boring and uneventful. The plot was slow-paced and lacked any excitement or suspense. The characters were also poorly developed, making it difficult to connect with or care about them. Overall, I was highly disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging read.
2. John - 2 stars - "Sea Watch" was an okay book, but it definitely didn't live up to the hype for me. The story felt disjointed and the author's writing style was not engaging. I struggled to stay interested and found myself skimming through pages just to get to the end. The concept had potential, but the execution fell flat. I wouldn't discourage others from giving it a try, but personally, it wasn't my cup of tea.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Sea Watch," based on the positive reviews I had read, but unfortunately, it failed to captivate me. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. The characters felt one-dimensional and their actions often seemed unrealistic. The writing style was also quite average, with nothing particularly unique or memorable about it. Overall, I found "Sea Watch" to be a forgettable read that didn't bring anything new to the genre.
4. Michael - 1 star - "Sea Watch" was a complete waste of my time. The storyline was confusing and convoluted, making it difficult to follow along. The character development was practically nonexistent, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself yawning through most of it. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a compelling and well-written novel.