Antara by Marilena Mexi (Review)

Antara by Marilena Mexi
(ANTARA SAGA)

Age Warning: Teen Appropriate- Though there are innuendos.

Published By: Lulu

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Date Released: March 22, 2011

Provided By: Author

Synopsis:

Peace and tranquility on the island of Aster, home to both humans and 'merfolk', has long been broken by a devastating phenomenon, recurring every five years. A storm including gusting winds and huge waves mysteriously appeared and eradicated much of the population. The misunderstandings, suspicion and hate born of this disaster have torn the two races apart, and the peace loving merfolk are now in a never-ending struggle to prove their innocence and restore peace to the island. On the human side, things are even worse; under the tyranny of cruel king Orestis, the people suffer and all their king cares for is vengeance against the "fish", as he spitefully calls them, executing merfolk after merfolk for just being near his lands. Secrets, intense emotions and strange phenomena will upset their lives forever.

My Review:

First off I want to comment on the cover: It's amazing! I love how Marilena is both an author and an illustrator, who also gives you pictures through out the novel to see what her characters look like. The cover is really pretty and detailed; and until now I didn't actual notice two people in the waves. Loving illustrations myself some of Marilena's other illustrations have me wanting to buy copies! But onto the review!

Antara in Greek means "disturbance, turbulence, foggy and impeding weather", and that is exactly what is occurring every five years on the island of Aster. These storms first start with heavy fog, then tornado type winds and finally waves that wash away everything. Shared by both mermaids and the tyrant humans, the island used to be peaceful until the first wave of the storms hit, taking away the Queen of the humans with its massive waves.

Determined to save her people and bring peace, Asteria queen of the mermaids takes on a mission to try and change the tyrant King Orestis' mind. She becomes his servant and begins to see the that corruption has courses through the castle. Asteria is a strong, carrying, stubborn and observant queen trying to fix the wrong that has happened so long ago. While Orestis, a strong angelic character, is being corrupted by false lies about the mermaids.

In Antara there are secrets that you might figure out on the first page or so that you wouldn't realize until the last page, but when you pick up Antara  I doubt you'll put it down. Fast paced and an adventure romance at the least you see from step one that Asteria is determined to help her people. And it keeps you reading to make sure she prevails in the end. I highly suggest Antara if your looking for a good mermaid romance read and just a wonderfully illustrated on too! And I'm really looking forward to some time in the future reading the second novel in the saga Ninemia.

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