The Sea Witch is a novel written by Sarah Henning. It is a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairy tale, The Little Mermaid. The book tells the story from the perspective of the Sea Witch, exploring her backstory and motivations. The Sea Witch, known as Evie, lives in the underwater kingdom of Havnestad. She is an outcast, shunned by her community for the color of her hair and her perceived lack of powers. Evie desperately wants revenge against the people who have hurt her, particularly the prince of Havnestad, Nik.
Ever since her best friend Anna died, Evie has been an outcast in her small fishing town. Hiding her talents, mourning her loss, drowning in her guilt.
Wicked meets The Little Mermaid in the captivating origin story of the sea s most iconic villainess, perfect for fans of Heartless and Dorothy Must Die. When not hunched over her computer, she runs ultramarathons, hangs out with her husband, Justin, and goes on absurdly long walks with her two adorable kids.
Evie desperately wants revenge against the people who have hurt her, particularly the prince of Havnestad, Nik. She makes a deal with the sea witch, Ursula, to gain the power and looks she needs to make her plan succeed. The story takes place years later, when a young girl named Anna is saved from drowning by a mysterious woman with striking looks and a familiar voice.
Sea Witch (Hardcover)
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Summer 2018 Kids Indie Next List
“This book floored me. I was expecting to like it, but I fell hard and fast for Sarah Henning’s original take on the sea witch story. Evie is already an outcast in her hometown—she is the daughter of a fisherman and she uses magic, which is forbidden, to help him. When a young girl arrives who looks eerily similar to her dead best friend, Anna, Evie will do whatever it takes to make sure that she can stay on land. no matter the cost. Magic, love, and loss permeate this stunning novel, which I will be highly recommending! ”
— Teresa Steele, Old Firehouse Books, Fort Collins, CO
Description
Wicked meets "The Little Mermaid" in the captivating origin story of the sea's most iconic villainess, perfect for fans of Heartless and Dorothy Must Die.
Ever since her best friend Anna died, Evie has been an outcast in her small fishing town. Hiding her talents, mourning her loss, drowning in her guilt.
Then a girl with an uncanny resemblance to Anna appears on the shore, and the two girls catch the eyes of two charming princes. Suddenly Evie feels like she might finally have a chance at her own happily ever after.
But magic isn’t kind, and her new friend harbors secrets of her own. She can’t stay in Havnestad—or on two legs—without Evie’s help. And when Evie reaches deep into the power of her magic to save her friend’s humanity—and her prince’s heart—she discovers, too late, what she’s bargained away.
About the Author
Sarah Henning is a recovering journalist who has worked for the Palm Beach Post, the Kansas City Star, and the Associated Press, among others. When not hunched over her computer, she runs ultramarathons, hangs out with her husband, Justin, and goes on absurdly long walks with her two adorable kids. Sarah lives in Lawrence, Kansas, hometown of Langston Hughes, William S. Burroughs, and a really good basketball team. Sea Witch is her first novel and is followed by Sea Witch Rising. You can visit her online at www.sarahhenningwrites.com.
Praise For…
“This book reminded me of the magic inherently present in the best kinds of stories. Mystery and wonder abounds in SEA WITCH, and I fell in love with Evie’s sharpness and her strong sense of self. Prepare to be lost in these pages for hours on end.” — Renée Adieh, #1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of The Wrath and The Dawn
“Henning’s dive into Little Mermaid lore is equal parts dark and tantalizing. Like the sea it sings of, this story has a strong pull. I found myself unable to set it down!” — Ryan Graudin, award-winning author of Wolf by Wolf
“All hail a new Queen of the Sea! Mystery, romance and revenge sweep you in—and there is magic on every page.” — Danielle Paige, New York Times bestselling author of Dorothy Must Die
“Deftly transforming a fairy tale into a richly layered exploration of culture and relationships, Henning tells the origin story of the Sea Witch from Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Little Mermaid.’” — Publishers Weekly
“Readers who gobble up every watery paranormal story will certainly enjoy this angst-drenched tale of forbidden love.” — Kirkus Reviews
“This enjoyable read will entertain and be a great fit for collections where fairy-tale retellings are popular.” — School Library Journal
“This spin on “The Little Mermaid” is full of plot twists and heart-in-throat action.
Fans of twisted fairy tales will find plenty to love.” — ALA Booklist
- Young Adult Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Adaptations
- Young Adult Fiction / Romance / Paranormal
- Young Adult Fiction / Mermaids & Mermen
- Kobo eBook (July 30th, 2018): $10.99
- Paperback (July 9th, 2019): $10.99
- Compact Disc (July 31st, 2018): $34.99
- MP3 CD (July 31st, 2018): $39.99
- Compact Disc (July 31st, 2018): $59.99
But magic isn’t kind, and her new friend harbors secrets of her own. She can’t stay in Havnestad—or on two legs—without Evie’s help. And when Evie reaches deep into the power of her magic to save her friend’s humanity—and her prince’s heart—she discovers, too late, what she’s bargained away.
Anna, who dreams of adventure and a life outside her small village, becomes friends with this woman, not knowing her true identity. Anna is accompanied by her best friend, the prince of Havnestad, whose heart she hopes to win. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that Anna and Evie are connected in more ways than one. Evie must grapple with her desires for revenge and her growing love for Nik, while Anna starts to uncover the truth about her new friend. The novel explores themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption, with a twist on the classic fairy tale. Sarah Henning's writing is rich and descriptive, bringing the underwater world and its inhabitants to life. The characters are well-developed and complex, with their own motivations and flaws. The Sea Witch is a captivating read, combining elements of fantasy, romance, and adventure. Overall, The Sea Witch offers a fresh and intriguing perspective on the classic tale of The Little Mermaid. It delves into the depth of the Sea Witch's character and provides a thought-provoking exploration of choices, consequences, and the power of love. Fans of fairy tale retellings and fantasy novels will surely appreciate this unique take on a beloved story..
Reviews for "Transcendent Tropes: Analyzing the Themes of Betrayal and Revenge in Sea Witch"
1. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
I was really looking forward to reading "Sea Witch" as I love retellings of classic fairy tales. However, I was quite disappointed with this book. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged with the story. The characters were also quite flat and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with any of them. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wished for more excitement and exploration of the magical world promised in the synopsis.
2. Michael - ★☆☆☆☆
"Sea Witch" had so much potential, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The plot was predictable and lacked originality, offering nothing new to the genre. The characters were one-dimensional and their actions often felt forced or unrealistic. The writing style was also lacking, failing to create a captivating atmosphere or increase my interest in the story. Ultimately, I found myself disinterested and struggled to finish the book. I would not recommend it to those looking for a unique and engaging fantasy read.
3. Emma - ★★☆☆☆
As a fan of fantasy novels, I was excited to dive into "Sea Witch." However, I was left feeling disappointed. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on for far too long while others were rushed. The romance felt forced and lacked chemistry, making it difficult to invest in the characters' relationships. Additionally, the world-building was limited, leaving many unanswered questions and a lack of depth. Overall, while the concept of the book was intriguing, the execution fell short of my expectations.