The novel '
Jewel of the Sea' is this gorgeous, sprawling tale about a young woman named Marina who discovers she’s descended from a lineage of sea
witches. The story kicks off when she finds an ancient
amulet washed up on the shore of her sleepy coastal town. At first, it seems like a quirky trinket, but soon, she starts having these vivid dreams of underwater kingdoms and a forgotten war between merfolk and humans. The pacing is fantastic—it starts slow, almost lyrical, but once Marina realizes the amulet is tied to her family’s cursed past, things escalate quickly. There’s betrayal,
forbidden romance (with a brooding mer prince, no less), and these breathtaking descriptions of hidden coral cities. The climax revolves around her choice: embrace her magic to save both worlds or sever her ties to the ocean forever. I loved how the author wove folklore into modern struggles—like environmental themes and identity—without feeling preachy. It’s one of those books where you can smell the saltwater on every page.
What really stuck with me, though, was the side characters. Marina’s grandmother, a retired witch with a sarcastic streak, steals every scene she’s in. And the mer prince’s conflicted loyalty? Chef’s kiss. The ending left room for a sequel, but it also felt satisfying on its own—like watching tide recede after a storm.