Sixteen-year-old Talia was born to a life of certainty and luxury, destined to become Empress of half the world. But when an ambitious rival seizes power, she and her mother are banished to a nowhere province on the far edge of the Northern Sea.
On their terrifying journey, the sea seems to call to Talia in strange ways, and her mother-spiraling into madness-becomes obsessed with ancient myths that talk of the sea-goddess Rahn who rules the watery Hall of the Dead.
Joanna Meyer is a wonderful new voice in the YA fantasy genre. Her original, fresh story handles popular fantasy themes in surprising ways. Her lush, atmospheric prose masterfully brings to life her unique mythology and vividly imagined, culturally diverse world.
Beneath the Haunting Sea will appeal to fans of bestselling series such as Throne of Glass, The Remnant Chronicles, The Winner's Trilogy, and The Grisha Trilogy, as well as recent debuts such as The Reader, The Star-Touched Queen, Sword and Verse, Fear the Drowning Deep, and Given to the Sea. It will also attract readers of adult fantasy, who enjoy Earthsea, The Silmarillion, and Game of Thrones. Its slow-burn romance and gothic setting, inspired by Sense and Sensibility and Jane Eyre, will appeal to a wider audience. Joanna describes Talia's love interest as Willoughby-esque and Beneath the Haunting Sea as The Silmarillion meets Jane Eyre, with kissing.
