Review Detail

The Lady of the Sea by Heather Zwygart

The Story:
After her mentor falls gravely ill, Avelessa of the sea people—named, the Aureate—must leave the safety of the boundary in search of a powerful pearl.

The Characters:
Avelessa’s difference to the surrounding humans is well demonstrated. It is easy to believe she is from an entirely separate species, and much older than she appears.
I enjoyed the closeness between the main character and Ethan. The friendship felt real. Her frequent clashes with Kai add tension to the piece. While not truly feeling the suspense of the subtle love triangle itself, both of these male characters still lend something to the story’s emotion and pace.

The World:
Set in New Zealand a.k.a Aotearoa. The author clearly did her research with the place names, terms, and Maori culture. Being Maori, myself, I was impressed to find the author had encapsulated the loving and sharing feel of a typical Maori village in Lady of the Sea. The only quibble on this front is one of the characters is called Kai and this is the Maori word for food.
At times, it is hard to get a spatial visualization of the layout as the main character moves from setting to setting. However, the reader gets a sense of a beach, bush, and island throughout.

The Readability:
Professionally edited. The dialogue is a strength of this novel and truly enjoyable. While the story could be tighter on a structural level and feature more showing, the plot itself is ensnaring, the characters are in possession of strong values, and the setting and story are weaved together in a way that pulls the reader in.
There are many Maori terms dotted throughout the book. At times, when there are several in a row, the flow of the story is interrupted, however, for those who enjoy absorbing real culture as they read, this could serve as a highlight.

Final Verdict:
Culturally diverse. A fantasy story weaved into a real-life setting. A good start to what could develop into an interesting series.

Favorite Quote:
“I love when a storm rolls in over the ocean, creating waves that dare and delight and strong current that reveal hidden treasures in the sandy bottoms below.”