BLOG TOUR: Rise of the Sea Witch by Stacey Rourke

Welcome to the Official Blog Tour for Stacey Rourke's Rise of the Sea Witch, the first book in the Unfortunate Soul Chronicles! This fun tour will consist of various different posts by participating blogs. Our tour stop today, we our review to share on this exciting new Young Adult fantasy. Of course, we can't forget the cool tour-wide giveaway! So... Check it out and grab your copy today!
Follow the tour, HERE!


Genre:
Young Adult
Fantasy
Series:
Unfortunate Soul Chronicles, #1
Publish Date:
June 19, 2017

Cover Designed by:
Najla Qamber Designs

Synopsis:
Details of the sea witch’s banishment have been exaggerated. The body count that preempted it was not. Once an illustrious princess, her hands and tentacles were stained with the blood of thousands. No one could comprehend how the hooks of madness dragged her down from her life of privilege.

Born Princess Vanessa of Atlantica, the ambitious young royal was one of two children born to the great King Poseidon. She and her brother, Triton, were groomed from birth to rule. Yet only one would ascend that coveted throne. While carefree Triton flits through his training with a cavalier demeanor and beguiling charm, Vanessa’s hunger for her father’s acceptance drives her to push herself to the limits of magic, and combat to become a leader worthy of her people.

When war against the humans ravages their once regal kingdom, political sides are chosen. Factions from the seven seas challenge the existing leadership, pitting Vanessa against her brother in a vicious battle for the crown. Traitors are exposed, dark family secrets revealed, and a once strong sibling bond is strained to its breaking point.

Only when the ink black waters from the ultimate betrayal rescind, will the truth be known of how the villainous sea witch rose with one name on her vengeful lips--Triton.

      

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**About the Author**

RONE Award Winner for Best YA Paranormal Work of 2012 for Embrace, a Gryphon Series  Novel

Young Adult and Teen Reader voted Author of the Year 2012

Turning Pages Magazine Winner for Best YA book of 2013 & Best Teen Book of 2013

Stacey Rourke is the author of the award winning YA Gryphon series, the chillingly suspenseful Legends Saga, and the romantic comedy Adapted for Film. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful daughters, and two giant dogs. She loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction, and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary people that live in her head.

Stay connected with Stacey Rourke

     

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*My Thoughts*

Note: This review contains NO spoilers

Wow! I am just blown away at how much this book took the "origin" of Ursela's story to another level! After "turning" the last page, I was completely speechless... AND in awe at Stacey's amazing writing that created this compelling and poignant story of a mermaid's downward spiral into a life that condemned her to become the Sea Witch.

With Stacey's vivid and descriptive writing of these characters and world building, I could visualize "everything" through Vanessa's eyes. I was so overwhelmed with all the emotional turmoil that these characters experienced in between these pages. The book dripped with adventure, action, and drama that was so convincing that one would empathize and connect with these mermaids.

Told in Vanessa's point of view, we get a first hand telling of her troubled upbringing, and, in the end, we endure Vanessa's struggle for acceptance. I am in awe at how much I got so involved with this. I just couldn't put down this book, except when I had to go to work. That darn job...Haha!!! The entire time reading, I kept visualizing how this story will tie in with The Little Mermaid story. Of course, I kept visualizing Disney's Ursela. Hmmm... This would definitely be a great Disney movie!! Just like Maleficent which starred Angelina Jolie...Right!?! Just a thought...haha!

This was an undeniably clever and intriguing "origin" story of a classic villain that we have grown up to "love" and "despise" through the classic fairy tale, The Little Mermaid. Complete with striking and animated imagery, Stacey Rourke brought an intense and entertaining story of a villain with a difficult childhood. I definitely am looking forward to more into Ursela's story...eventually, her timeline will cross with Ariel's...lol!

My Rating:

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***The Giveaway***

Giveaway Open Internationally
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour Organized by