Hi everyone! Today I’m excited to participate in the bookstagram & creative blog tour for Beneath Cruel Fathoms by Anela Deen organized by MTMC Tours! Beneath Cruel Fathoms is the first book in The Bitter Sea Trilogy, an Adult Fantasy series based on Norse ocean mythology where merfolk, violent storms, restless seas, and dark magic stirs the mysterious Failock Sea.
Beneath Cruel Fathoms by Anela Deen
Series: The Bitter Sea Trilogy #1
Published by Fine Fables Press on May 17th, 2019
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Mythology
Pages: 386
Format: Paperback
Goodreads
Buy on Amazon
Source: MTMC Tours, Author
I received this book for free from MTMC Tours, Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
After a violent storm destroys her ship, Isaura Johansdottir knows better than to hope she’ll be rescued from Eisland’s vast Failock Sea. Adrift and alone, her plans to start over lost, it’s a tragic conclusion after the disastrous end of her marriage—until she’s saved by Leonel, one of the merfolk, a creature long believed extinct. In repayment for her life, Leonel enlists her help to investigate the Failock’s mysterious and deadly plague of squalls. But when Isaura discovers Eisland’s ruthless new Lord commands the storms, her life will be in more danger on land than it ever was at sea.
As guardian of the Fathoms, Leonel must find the cause of unnatural storms ravaging the tidal currents and destroying the sea life. There are rumors of dark magic stirring in the Orom Abyss, the resting place of old, vanquished gods who tried to submerge the land millennia ago. Yet without proof, no one in King Ægir’s court will listen to him. And if it’s discovered he broke the Blue Laws to save a shipwrecked landweller, he might not survive the consequences.
As storms spread, Leonel and Isaura uncover secrets as forbidden as the bond that grows between them. Betrayal lurks in the restless sea, and when ancient powers lay siege to Eisland’s coast, the truth may be drowned along with everything else.
… The Reader’s Review …
First of all, I am super sad I somehow lost my review draft *cries*. It somehow did not save and I am… confused. Sigh, I have rewritten an echo of that past review, and even though it doesn’t express all of my feelings, it doesn’t change anything of how I truly feel for it.
Because really, I can definitely say Beneath Cruel Fathoms is my new favorite book. This amazing book took me by storm (pun fully intended) and I am still floating in the aftermath of its magnificence. I absolutely LOVED IT. From the world building full of norse ocean mythology to the funny, smart and kind characters–everything captivated me!
I will start off by saying that this book has what I love the most: humor. Isaura and Leonel, as well as the rest of the characters, made me laugh throughout and I loved them all the more for it. They are such WARM, genuine characters. It’s been a while since a book has made me love the full cast so much, because despite everything they’ve been through, their hearts are so precious.
Isaura is kind, gentle and an exceptional healer, even if her heart has been broken for the loss of her marriage due to infertility. Leonel, whose sea family has been cruel to him all his life for being the bastard mermaid son of the sea goddess, still works hard to be deserving of his title as the guardian of the Fathoms. Both of these characters navigate loneliness and yet their spirits are not truly broken. In fact, they still do their best to protect and stay loyal to those they love. And when Leonel saves Isaura when an unnatural storm sinks the ship she was traveling with, they form an unlikely alliance, which blooms into a heartwarming friendship. And then inevitably, into love.
But that’s another favorite aspect about this book, all of the main relationships are beautiful in their own ways. Isaura has a wonderful, supportive family which consists of her father, aunt, and adoptive brother who lovingly calls her “Heart Sister”. Funny banter takes place within this loving family unit and I adored it. However, it would still make my heart ache for Leonel whose family was anything but, and he was indeed alone in his vast world.
Ack, this might be getting long but I also must mention how incredible the sea life is in this book. And the way Leonel interacts with it! Through songs and whistles, reading about the different languages of the sea was stunning. I just *loved* it. It even made me tear up when he mournfully sings for lost sea life.
Beneath Cruel Fathoms deserves to reach more readers and it is my duty now to sing its praises. Not only does it weave Norse Mythology, but it touches themes rarely seen in Fantasy such as Infertility which usually get magically solved. Anela Deen handles every theme beautifully and now I cannot wait what she does for book 2! ♥
Beneath Cruel Fathoms as a Netflix Original!
I demand this show ASAP. It would be visually stunning! ♥
INTL Tour-Wide Giveaway!
Head over to my Instagram account to win one of 10 swag packs:
– Digital/Printable 12-page Adult Ocean-Fantasy coloring book with vintage artwork from fables like “The Little Mermaid” and “The Forsaken Merman”, along with quotes from the novel.
– A double-sided 5” x 7” character art print of the two main characters
INTL Blog Giveaway!
But while you are here, enter the rafflecopter below to win a kindle copy of Beneath Cruel Fathoms!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Schedule:
May 25
@thereaderandthechef – Bookstagram + Blog
May 26
@forest_of_pages – Bookstagram
May 27
@paperfury – Bookstagram + Blog
May 28
@libraryinthecountry – Bookstagram
May 29
@bookbriefs – Bookstagram + Blog
May 30
@readwithemilee – Bookstagram
May 31
@readinginpyjamas – Bookstagram + Blog
June 1
@canxdancexreads – Bookstagram
June 2
@linathebookaddict – Bookstagram + Blog
June 3
@womanon – Bookstagram
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I added it to my TBR, really well done!
YAY! Hope you get to read it and that you enjoy it. 😀
Ooh I love those Netflix edits!! This sounds so interesting, definitely adding it to my TBR 🙂
Thank you so much, they were SO FUN to do! ♥ And I really loved this book so I hope you do get to read it one day. 🙂