The Book
Water (Book One in the Akasha Series)
The Genre
Eco-Fantasy
The Author
Terra Harmony served a 5 1/2 year enlistment in the Marine Corp, and has a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and a master’s degree in Linguistics. She lives in a suburb of Washington, DC, with her husband and three children.
The Plot
When Kaitlyn Alder is involuntarily introduced to a life of magic, she becomes part of an organization hell-bent on saving the Earth. Just as her new-found life holds promises of purpose, romance, and friendship, the organization divides and a rogue member holds Kaitlyn hostage. Now one of the most terrifying men the human race has to offer stands between her and Earth’s survival.
Warning: Contains mature content and sexual situations (some non-consensual). Reader discretion is advised.
The Review
Water is a well-written and engaging eco-adventure romance that kept me intrigued from start to finish. I very much enjoyed the pro-environmental conservation message of the novel . You can tell that the author feels very strongly about this subject, and it is showcased beautifully in her writing. I also liked that the magic system was based somewhat off of scientific principles, which grounded the fantasy element of the story and made it seem less far fetched that magic like that could exist in this day and age.
My main qualm was with the protagonist, Kaitlyn. I felt that she under-reacted to a very evident threat early on in the book, to the extent that it was almost unbelievable. And then she–and every other character in the book–continued to underestimate that threat until the betrayal inevitably occurred and it was too late for her to take any action to save herself. This is not to say I didn’t understand why she acted that way, but as a reader it frustrated me, and as a result I had trouble connecting with the protagonist and feeling sorry for her.
Qualms aside, Water was a fascinating book, and one that I will definitely pick up again in the future.
The Rating
4 stars out of 5
Unrelated media of the day:
For your viewing entertainment, an internet classic:
Aaaaaaaaaand and elephant:
Source: http://i.imgur.com/vmCFl.jpg
Michelle Proulx - Author 
Great cover art too! By the by, I had to Google “eco-fantasy”. So many sub-genres out there, it’s hard to keep up.
I know, isn’t the cover art gorgeous? I need to find this artist and employ her for all my future writing endeavours.
Having wrangled some fire effects for the cover of my wife’s book, I can definitely say I’m impressed with the water. I can see some of how its performed when I zoom in on the full-sized image and few the square artifacts around droplets which were copy/pasted…but still, its an impressive piece among a lot of so-so self-published cover art.
Irrelephant. Chuckles. 🙂
Hehehe. Yeah.
BadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersMushroom?
Michelle…where do you find these things???
The internet is a large and inscrutable place. Its secrets can only be uncovered by those that know The Way.
And you are wise in the way of The Way…
Fo shizzle.
I have embarked upon a heavily-condensed course that teaches The Way 😀
So now, I see your BadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersMushroomMushroom.
and raise you
In order to demonstrate your ability with The Way, you are instructed to view the entire event, as I did with BadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersBadgersbadgersMushroom
I have viewed the entire video, and am duly impressed by the gentleman’s pen-behind-the-ear technique. I was certain he would give up and just stick the damn pen behind his ear by hand, but his perseverance astonished and humbled me. I promote you to Grand Lieutenant of The Way.
AND….thread is derailed.
I thank you, O Great One of The Way.
*bows*
BTW – later in the same show, he attempts ‘Hockey stick behind the ear.’ 😀
Love that cover!
But I think the makers of the “Badger” vid consumed too many “Mushrooms! Mushrooms!”
Hehehe, yeah …