~ BLOG TOUR with REVIEW ~ Rise of the Sea Witch ~ by Stacey Rourke
Title: Rise of the Sea
Witch
Author: Stacey
Rourke
Genre: YA Fantasy/ Fairy Tale and
Folklore
Cover Designer: Najla Qamber
Designs
Publisher: Anchor Group
Publishing
Blurb:
Details of the sea witch’s banishment have been
exaggerated. The body count that preempted it was not. Once an illustrious princess,
her hands and tentacles were stained with the blood of thousands. No one could
comprehend how the hooks of madness dragged her down from her life of
privilege.
Born Princess Vanessa of Atlantica, the ambitious young
royal was one of two children born to the great King Poseidon. She and her
brother, Triton, were groomed from birth to rule. Yet only one would ascend
that coveted throne. While carefree Triton flits through his training with a
cavalier demeanor and beguiling charm, Vanessa’s hunger for her father’s
acceptance drives her to push herself to the limits of magic, and combat to become
a leader worthy of her
people.
When war against the humans ravages their once regal
kingdom, political sides are chosen. Factions from the seven seas challenge the
existing leadership, pitting Vanessa against her brother in a vicious battle
for the crown. Traitors are exposed, dark family secrets revealed, and a once
strong sibling bond is strained to its breaking
point.
Only when the ink black waters from the ultimate
betrayal rescind, will the truth be known of how the villainous sea witch rose
with one name on her vengeful
lips--Triton.
My Review:
4 out of 5 Stars
I have to admit that before I came across this book, I
never gave much thought to Ursala’s backstory. I think I just made the
assumption that she was born evil, and therefore always was. Although, I haven’t come across any evil
babies in my lifetime, so maybe I should’ve given that a little more
thought. I’m really glad that although I
didn’t, this author did. The way this
story went? I’m surprised she didn’t become evil MUCH sooner. In fact, this is what really made this story
a sad one, in my opinion.
According to this story, before she was Ursula, Vanessa
was a very kind-hearted, good, hard working person. She was this way from a very young age. She
was determined, as the eldest, to become the best future queen she could
possibly be – even though she always knew the cards were stacked against her,
and it was almost assuredly Triton that would get the crown. Even though he didn’t
want it.
Time and time again, Vanessa was used, tricked, hurt by
those she trusted, and always made to feel like second place, and she still
kept her good heart. I was truly shocked
throughout the book, thinking, “This is it.
This is when she loses it.” But she doesn’t. She keeps going. Her love for Atlantica and its people keeping
her going.
When she finally does become the Ursula we know
from the stories, I found myself feeling more like it was about time, rather
than being sad that she became “the bad guy”.
Because really, I would’ve felt like the bad guy LONG before she
did. Not only that, but even though she
became Ursula, there was still just enough of Vanessa left in her that made
your heart break for her yet again.
RONE Award Winner for Best YA
Paranormal Work of 2012 for Embrace, a Gryphon Series
Novel
Young Adult and Teen Reader voted Author of the Year
2012
Turning Pages Magazine Winner for Best YA book of 2013
& Best Teen Book of
2013
Stacey Rourke is the author of the award winning YA
Gryphon Series, the chillingly suspenseful Legends Saga, and the romantic
comedy Adapted for Film. She lives in Michigan with her husband, two beautiful
daughters, and two giant dogs. She loves to travel, has an unhealthy shoe addiction,
and considers herself blessed to make a career out of talking to the imaginary
people that live in her
head.
Visit her at www.staceyrourke.com
Facebook at www.facebook.com/staceyrourkeauthor
or on Twitter or instagram at
Rourkewrites.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1OJcVNO
Buy
Link:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2th8hTW
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