The Aquarathi #2 Oceanborn

Presenting The Aquarathi #2 Oceanborn by Amalie Howard.

Here is the summary of the book:

The coronation is over.

But the battle has just begun.

Nerissa Marin has won her crown. But can she keep it? Already, her ties to the human realm are driving a wedge between Nerissa and her people. When word arrives that her part-human prince consort, Lo, has been poisoned, she makes the difficult choice to leave Waterfell and return landside. As the royal courts debate her decision, even more disturbing rumors surface: a plot is rising against her, led by someone she least expects.

On land, Nerissa learns another shocking truth: Lo does not remember who she is. As her choice to try to save him threatens her hold on her crown, changing loyalties and uncertainty test her courage in ways she could never have imagined. Nerissa will have one last chance to prove herself as a queen …and save the undersea kingdom she loves.

It is always a joy to read a sequel and find out that it is even better than its predecessor and Oceanborn does not disappoint. I always make it a point to read Harlequin Teen books and The Aquarathi series definitely makes that cut. Following in the footsteps of Waterfell, Oceanborn boosts of a particularly enticing cover, strong characters, a strong plot consisting of some very unsuspecting surprises.

Oceanborn picks up where Waterfell left off. Nerissa has been reinstated as the Queen of Waterfell but unrest reigns supreme. In a bid to keep Lo safe, she sent him to the human world. But that seemed not to be the case. There is danger everywhere. There are those below and above ground who would go to great lengths to harm Nerissa and her loved ones fall in that category too. And Nerissa must do all she can to brave such dire odds.

Nerissa says that she is an alien ergo, human emotions don't apply to her but out of all of them I found our young Aquarathi Queen to be the most human of them all. She is by no means perfect. There was a time when she was hesitant, afraid, sometimes selfish and sometimes a little stupid. But she is selfless too and willing to sacrifice her happiness to help her friends and family. And seriously queenly duties do not mix well with the desires of the heart and it is interesting how Rissa tackles it all with some very heart-warming and some fierce moments along the way.

Lo. Well he was a bit more different this time. An attack on his person rendered him amnesiac. He doesn't know his other Aquarathi half at the moment. He doesn't remember Nerissa and his personality does a u-turn. But that electrifying chemistry still holds strong. Amnesia may have affected his brain but his body still remembers Nerissa. The dangerously hot and sexy Lo was too adorably cute as he stood firm with Nerissa against all odds, adamant to recover his memories and recover his missing piece.

Despite all odds, the bound stays true. A bond that transcends all. I really melted at the romantic cuteness between Lo and Rissa here. They were too cute together. For Speio I felt really bad. He got mixed in the wrong crowd in the first book and here when he had just regained his worth and Rissa's friendship, he gets thrown another surprising odd bone at the springing more dire circumstances for Nerissa and Lo.

Among the secondary characters Jenna truly stood at the front. We saw a glance of it in Waterfell and it in Waterfell and it is even more apparent in Oceanborn. Of course having experienced Amalie Howard's brand of writing in the first book, I expected surprises where I didn't think possible and in places never thought imaginable and I was not disappointed at all. Howard maintains a constant flow with strong never lagging, never speeding too fast, just maintaining the perfect pace and keeping hooked hitching us with the twists and turns along the way. And I really dob't like cliffhangers. Hope we'll get a 3rd book soon.

"An excitable and palpable & passionate sequel that has the power to render us yearning for more"

Genre :      Young Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy , Romance

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: 29th July, 2014

My Copy: bought (ebook)

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Other Books in the series (review links):
                #1 Waterfell 

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository 

The Aquarathi #1 Waterfell

HAPPY RELEASE DAY. Presenting The Aquarathi #1 Waterfell by Amalie Howard.

Here is the summary of the book:

THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE QUEEN

Nerissa Marin hides among teens in her human form, waiting for the day she can claim her birthright—the undersea kingdom stolen from her the day her father was murdered. Blending in is her best weapon—until her father's betrayer confronts Nerissa and challenges her to a battle to the death on Nerissa's upcoming birthday—the day she comes of age.

Amid danger and the heartbreak of her missing mother, falling for a human boy is the last thing Nerissa should do. But Lo Seavon breaches her defenses and somehow becomes the only person she can count on to help her desperate search for her mother, a prisoner of Nerissa's mortal enemy. Is Lo the linchpin that might win Nerissa back her crown? Or will this mortal boy become the weakness that destroys her?

I'm at the point where I almost neglect to read the book synopsis before I begin. I don't make it a habit of it but when the book in question is published by Harlequin teen.... well I have enough confidence that I will love the book and this conviction has definitely not let me down..... This goes for Amalie Howard's upcoming 'Waterfell' too.....

I went in expecting an underwater mermaid-human love fest with the villain thrown in..... but Howard's WATERFELL pleasently surprised me. Yes there are underwater creatures, but they are definitely bigger and better than the mer-folk..... underwater extraterrestrials more like.... Now i've decided not to include my own synopsis... This is an ARC review and as such readers you need buy it and be amazed by it like I was.

Waterfell tells the story of the Aquarathi Crown Princess Nerissa Marin. Teenager and underwater royalty. She at first comes off as a selfish, mean little girl. Who would rather take the cowardly way than fight for her right. She doesn't want to rule and instead wants to live an anonymous life on land as a human..... But situations do not favor Rissa and she soon realizes what needs to be done and rises to the occasion to fight the evil that not only threatens to destroy 'Waterfell' but the whole wide world and take back her crown.

I didn't like Rissa at first...... but got to say, she grew on me.... her feelings and emotions and the ability to learn from past mistakes are her bonus points and make her seem more real and approachable. Besides Rissa showing her Aqarathi powers (which were so cool), it was her friendship with Jenna & her boyfriend Sawyer that made the second highlight of the story (especially Jenna). Jenna proves to be quite the good listener, and the rock Rissa needs in her dual life. I quite liked the dynamics of it.

Then there is Lo. Sweet and HOT. Which is a killer combination. The new guy, Lo Sevon, catches Nerissa's eye rather fast. Exuding that HOT surfer dude personality, he seems to only have eyes for Nerissa, even when other girls practically throw themselves at him..... and goes out of his way to spend time with her..... I rather liked the fact that it was not insta-love but the gradual ones where they took their sweet time to get to that conclusion. Their chemistry was totally sizzling. Lo does hide a big secret about himself despite what the synopsis says (I did suspect in the beginning) and maybe be what Rissa needs to win.

This is an amazing first book. And I quite liked the way Amalie Howard presented the Aqarathi and their underwater land called Waterfell. I think we can establish a new literary couple with Lo and Nerissa ..... and totally excited to see what 'Oceanborn' will bring to us.

"An exciting, fresh and dynamic series premiere"

Genre :      Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: 29th October, 2013

My Copy: publisher and netgalley

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Buy:           Amazon | Book Depository