SYNOPSIS:
Coe is one of the few remaining teenagers on the island of Tides. Deformed and weak, she is constantly reminded that in a world where dry land dwindles at every high tide, she is not welcome. The only bright spot in her harsh and difficult life is the strong, capable Tiam—but love has long ago been forgotten by her society. The only priority is survival.

Until the day their King falls ill, leaving no male heir to take his place. Unrest grows, and for reasons Coe cannot comprehend, she is invited into the privileged circle of royal aides. She soon learns that the dying royal is keeping a secret that will change their world forever.

Is there an escape from the horrific nightmare that their island home has become? Coe must race to find the answers and save the people she cares about, before their world and everything they know is lost to the waters.

WHY SHOULD YOU CHECK IT OUT?
YA always has room for more varied protagonists than the straight white male, though it seems fantasy has had a good track record of including differently-abled heroes. Continuing in that tradition, we get Coe, a fantasy heroine whose hand was lost in an animal attack when she was young. That this disability is central to the drama of Coe’s story bodes well for the characterization!

Coe out on the open water, alone but for the fog and the half-hidden tower, makes for a hauntingly beautiful cover. Beyond how mesmerizing it is, we also can see that the artist has not sought to stealthily hide Coe’s physical state from readers. Like the poster for The Fault in Our Stars, let’s hope this is a serious step in the right direction for YA and publishers’ ability to allow all protagonists to star on their own covers.

This is the debut for Nichola Reilly, but the pen name belongs to YA paranormal author Cyn Balog. Whether dystopian fantasy is your bag or not, you may enjoy checking out “Fairy Tale”, “Dead River”, or “Touched”!

EARLY REVIEWS SAY…
Suspense rises with the water as characters reveal their flaws and loyalties, and key words—which only Coe can read, kind of—are obsolete riddles that engage readers’ attention until the answer becomes plain. … [T]he briny yet hopeful ending arouses anticipation for the sequel. (Kirkus Reviews)

A fantasy twist toward the end of this series opener from Reilly (a pseudonym for writer Cyn Balog) fits perfectly with the fairy tales Coe retells throughout the novel. (Publishers Weekly)

NECESSARY DETAILS
YA Fantasy
Hardcover & ebook, 304 pages
Published on June 24th 2014 by Harlequin Teen (ISBN 0373211228)
http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=52787