Magic has always fascinated humans throughout history. The concept of performing supernatural feats, defying the laws of nature, and harnessing unseen forces has intrigued both young and old. One particular form of magic that has gained significant interest is the avass magic. Avass magic is a unique form of magic that involves the manipulation and control of elemental energies. The word "avass" originates from an ancient language, meaning "essence" or "substance." Practitioners of avass magic, known as avassians, are capable of tapping into the elemental energies present in the environment and using them to create a variety of magical effects.
Sea Witch is an origin story for Ursula, the villain of Disney’s The Little Mermaid (though she has a different name). Perversely, I’m going to start at the end of the novel, as really, only the epilogue, set 50 years after the main story, has anything to do with the film: once we get there, the nods are strong, with dialogue very close to the Disney film, if not directly lifted from it. Even down to the polyps on the floor of the cave.
However, it is a lovely and well-crafted homage to a brilliant film, and it s really cool to see that scene from another perspective I just didn t feel it was necessary. After Nik nearly drowns too, four years later, things begin to take a turn for the weird, and we end up playing out the Little Mermaid story we all know the arrival of a mysterious girl, who must gain the love of a prince within three days.
" Practitioners of avass magic, known as avassians, are capable of tapping into the elemental energies present in the environment and using them to create a variety of magical effects. The avass magic is deeply rooted in the belief that all matter and energy in the world are interconnected. Avassians believe that every living being has an innate connection to the elements, allowing them to cultivate and channel their energies.
Sea Witch, Sarah Henning – Book Review
Hello Humans! Today I am reviewing Sarah Henning’s Sea Witch, that’s right – it’s time to add to the year of ALL THE RETELLINGS. I read multiple Little Mermaid retellings in June and (because I am a useless human who can’t immediately write book reviews) it took me a moment to tease them all apart! What makes this retelling different is that this is The Little Mermaid from the perspective of a friend of the prince, and with a dark undercurrent (pun intended).
Goodreads Summary:
Everyone knows what happens in the end.
A mermaid, a prince, a true love’s kiss.
But before that young siren’s tale, there were three friends.
One feared, one royal, and one already dead.~~~~~~~~~~
Ever since her best friend, Anna, drowned, Evie has been an outcast in her small fishing town. A freak. A curse. A witch.
A girl with an uncanny resemblance to Anna appears offshore and, though the girl denies it, Evie is convinced that her best friend actually survived. That her own magic wasn’t so powerless after all. And, as the two girls catch the eyes—and hearts—of two charming princes, Evie believes that she might finally have a chance at her own happily ever after.
But her new friend has secrets of her own. She can’t stay in Havnestad, or on two legs, unless Evie finds a way to help her. Now Evie will do anything to save her friend’s humanity, along with her prince’s heart—harnessing the power of her magic, her ocean, and her love until she discovers, too late, the truth of her bargain.
The rise of Hans Christian Andersen’s iconic villainess is a heart-wrenching story of friendship, betrayal, and a girl pushed beyond her limits—to become a monster.
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What I liked about this version of this story is that it felt very different from the original. Sometimes it can feel like a retelling is just a kind of mad-libs version of a story, where certain words have been swapped out for others but other than that the story continues as normal. In this case, the sense is more of a story rooted in the ideas in The Little Mermaid but with a more of a human perspective. I feel like I’ve read alternative Mermaid stories from the perspectives of princes, and mermaids but I’ve not read one that brought in a whole new character as this one does. I say new character, it’s a little more complex than that, but to reveal it would be spoilers.
It’s an interesting angle to take. So often in Little Mermaid retellings, once the mermaid is out of the water not only has she lost her voice but she also has no allies, there are no characters who truly relate to her – beyond the odd kindly servant. I thought the idea of creating almost a friendship between Evie and the Little Mermaid was a powerful tool through which to tell the story. I am always here for connections forged between women, but it feels particularly poignant in a story where the original has a voiceless woman in it.
I cannot speak to the accuracy or research done into the magic system in this book, but it feels fairly generic ‘villagers and long lines of witches’ without too many specific details. I didn’t mind that too much in this instance as part of the point is that Evie hasn’t studied her magic, that raw and uncontrollable aspect is a key part of her character.
I thought that the various relationships (other than that between the witch and the little mermaid) were interesting. I appreciated that Evie and the Prince were set up to be just friends, I am always a supporter of platonic love in books and I don’t read enough of it. There is also a romance in this story, wouldn’t be a retelling without a bit of romance, but I thought it was well handled and didn’t overtake the plot.
And what a plot. As I say this is a Little Mermaid retelling and then some. I think the easiest comparison I can draw is to The Wicked Deep. I had that same feeling of something being a little off but still being shocked when the reveal came. Obviously, I won’t spoil that here but I do think it’s an exceptional way of making changes to the original story while still retaining the melancholy nature of Hans Christian Anderson’s original story.
I read this book in one day, essentially, I thought it was paced well, it’s not a difficult read but it also doesn’t feel patronising or overly simplified. I enjoyed it hugely and will be adding it to my list of ‘mermaid books that don’t suck’.
My rating: 4/5 stars
I received a digital advanced review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
What say you? Which mermaid books are your favourites? Let me know in the comments below!
By understanding and harmonizing with the natural forces of the world, avassians can wield tremendous power. The avass magic encompasses four primary elements: fire, water, earth, and air. Avassians can harness and manipulate the energy associated with each element to produce various effects. For example, they can create and control fire, manipulate water, shape and transform the earth, or control the air currents. Each element has its unique properties and applications, providing a wide range of possibilities for avassians to explore. Avass magic is not limited to the manipulation of elements alone; avassians can also develop abilities in other magical fields. They can incorporate complex rituals, incantations, and herbal remedies into their practice, further expanding their abilities. Moreover, avassians are renowned for their healing capabilities, using their mastery over elemental energies to mend wounds and restore vitality. However, avass magic is not without its challenges. It requires extensive training, discipline, and an understanding of the intricate balance of the natural world. Avassians must learn to harness their powers responsibly, as the misuse of elemental energies can have catastrophic consequences. In conclusion, avass magic is a captivating form of magic that revolves around the mastery of elemental energies. It offers a unique perspective on the interconnectedness of the world and provides practitioners with the ability to shape and control the elements. Through dedicated practice and study, avassians can unlock the secrets of this ancient and powerful form of magic..
Reviews for "Tapping into the Collective Consciousness with Avass Magic"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Avass Magic." I had high expectations for this book, but I found the plot to be slow and uninteresting. The characters lacked depth and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing was also quite average, with no standout moments that made me feel invested in the story. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend this book.
2. Emily - 1/5 stars - "The Avass Magic" was a complete waste of my time. The story felt disjointed, with poorly developed subplots that went nowhere. The world-building was also lacking, with very little explanation or depth provided. The writing style was dull and uninspiring, making it a struggle to even finish the book. I found no redeeming qualities in this novel and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Ben - 2.5/5 stars - While "The Avass Magic" had an intriguing premise, it fell flat in execution. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow and dragging parts followed by rushed and confusing scenes. The characters were one-dimensional, and their motivations often felt forced. Additionally, there were too many loose ends left unresolved, which left me feeling unsatisfied as a reader. Overall, I found "The Avass Magic" to be a mediocre fantasy novel that could have been better with stronger writing and more coherent storytelling.
4. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "The Avass Magic," but it failed to live up to its potential. The plot was predictable and lacked any twists or surprises. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to engage with the story. The world-building also left much to be desired, as there was little explanation given for the magical elements in the book. Overall, I found this novel to be forgettable and would not recommend it to fans of the fantasy genre.