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Fins Trilogy #2
Fathom
Since being blessed with becoming the ruler over all the merpeople, Morgan James has moved to New York with her fiancé, Thayde, to begin her studies at the university. But her plans to resume a normal life are put on hold when overpowering thoughts start to take control of her and a terrible disease called The Shadow slowly begins to jeopardize Thayde's life. Faced with overwhelming odds, will Morgan, who has suddenly been thrust into being both the leader and protector of her species, collapse under her own insecurities or rise above the challenges that threaten her, producing consequences she never could have imagined?
Plunge into Fathom - the sequel in The Fins Trilogy.
Plunge into Fathom - the sequel in The Fins Trilogy.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
8 people are currently reading
638 people want to read
About the author
Ashley L. Knight
7 books60 followersTwo events of significance occurred during of the birth of Ashley Lorenzi Knight in 1977. One was the VC10 jet flight time record from London to Bahrain was smashed by her father in his determination to be by her side and the appearance of brilliant meteor showers over the desert island that was witnessed by her godmother.
Moving away from the gathering war storms of the Middle East conflict, her family settled in mountainous Idaho, USA, to the seasonal rhythms of ranch life. Ashley's love of horses and her strong riding skills made her an elegant Rodeo Queen and spokesperson.
By 15 years Ashley was already enrolled in university where she majored in English/ Writing Emphasis, with a minor in Biology. Her English language skills resulted in a coaching job from her professor for new writers at university. College summers were spent with her younger sister at the ranch riding by the Little Salmon River or at Disney World as an intern in their summer program. Talented in poetry and lyric writing, Ashley began to compose and perform her own songs at an early age, taking formal voice training at college and competing in singing talent shows. A change meeting in downtown Boise brought love's destiny to her life. Greg and Ashley were married in McCall by the glacial blue waters of the lake. Inseparable, they now have two small children of their own.
When she isn't writing, she is attending events as The Mermaid Lady!
Go to www.ashleylknight.com to learn more
Moving away from the gathering war storms of the Middle East conflict, her family settled in mountainous Idaho, USA, to the seasonal rhythms of ranch life. Ashley's love of horses and her strong riding skills made her an elegant Rodeo Queen and spokesperson.
By 15 years Ashley was already enrolled in university where she majored in English/ Writing Emphasis, with a minor in Biology. Her English language skills resulted in a coaching job from her professor for new writers at university. College summers were spent with her younger sister at the ranch riding by the Little Salmon River or at Disney World as an intern in their summer program. Talented in poetry and lyric writing, Ashley began to compose and perform her own songs at an early age, taking formal voice training at college and competing in singing talent shows. A change meeting in downtown Boise brought love's destiny to her life. Greg and Ashley were married in McCall by the glacial blue waters of the lake. Inseparable, they now have two small children of their own.
When she isn't writing, she is attending events as The Mermaid Lady!
Go to www.ashleylknight.com to learn more
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 31, 2012
This reader looked forward to taking a break and plunging into author Ashley Knight's
Fathom
, or Book II of the Fins Trilogy, as it's also known. I bought this as an Amazon Kindle edition, as I wanted to keep it with my copy of Ms. Knight's debut novel
Fins
, the first book of this trilogy.
Admittedly, this genre is not my regular choice for leisure reading, but there had been something compelling about the story of Morgan and Thayde, which had begun on Central Florida's Treasure Coast in the first book of the trilogy, so I had to go for it... and I'm glad that I did.
Fathom: the Saga of Mermaids, Merpeople and More continues...
This second book begins in the unlikely setting of New York City, as Morgan and Thayde start their life together as students at Columbia University. I could get picky with details here, as early on we find Morgan saying: "Downtown Manhattan is not my favorite place. For one, forget the fact that it's dirty and crowded - the buildings are so tall they block the sun! However, the restaurants are amazing and diverse. You can get a good Indian curry and a meaty pierogi on the same street corner." As a resident of NYC, I might take issue with it being "dirty" here (where was she hanging out?), but she's right about the diversity of food found here.
"New York is known as the city that never sleeps and that is the truth." Yes, it is.
This book definitely had a darker feel in the beginning, with Morgan's powers seeming to be taking a murky turn, and with Thayde succumbing to an illness. Won't drop any spoilers here, but it seems that the apparent solution to this sickness has to involve a character that we encountered in the first book, a merman who happens to be Thayde's nemesis. And it appears that Morgan is about to collapse under her own insecurities.
But Ashley Knight is often full of surprises when you least expect them, where she bursts out with a sentence or a paragraph that will jolt the reader with how well she writes from the heart when in familiar territory. The beginning of one particular chapter has a very good example of this:
I had to read this passage a few times, then closed my eyes, imagining, even yearning for the smell and feeling that was being described by these words in one of the most three dimensional passages I've read in a novel this year. As noted above, Ms. Knight is right there with unexpected literary surprises, and this wasn't the only one.
And among the other surprises are the ways with which the author chose to deal with religious, spiritual and moral values, and managed to throw magic into the mix. This is not delving into the often not-too-subtle Christian fiction ground, as she doesn't get preachy with personal beliefs, but to put it simply, she approaches ethics from a surprisingly high level if one reads her words carefully, especially when Morgan, as 'The Link' has to deal with the question of killing ones enemy for the good of many.
There are diverse ranges of concepts regarding merpeople covered in Ms. Knight's Book II, and in the pages here we find that 'cording' and 'linking' have enormous importance, that not every mermaid and merman have the ability to cord. The issues of genuine intimacy building between Morgan and Thayde, along with romance and passion, and the associated problems with them, are dealt with in a more mature and realistic fashion that we found in Fins , yet I would highly recommend to anyone looking at this trilogy to start with that book.
There were parts in the first half of this book where it seemed that the story was running out of steam in places, foundering in its own darkness as if the characters themselves were struggling to find some direction. It reminded this reader of the sea itself, with the oceanic wind waves differing in height, duration and shape, with little predictability. But readers of trilogies often find that the second is frequently the darkest, and sometimes the most contemplative, and in this Fathom follows that excellent literary pattern.
For many, it's the allure that mermaids have in our culture that will attract readers to Ms. Knight's Fins Trilogy, and in that they will not be disappointed. But for this reader, it's the way that she puts her words together that makes her stand out, as I've noted in the quoted paragraph above.
I took the dive into this series, and guess that I'm hooked now. Will have to see what Ashley Knight comes up with as the conclusion to this Fins Trilogy in Forever, the recently-announced Book III of the Fins Trilogy,... and then what she will come up with next.
Fans of the Fins Trilogy can stay up to date at Ashley Knight's Website here.
Note: this review appeared earlier on Amazon.com in a different form.
7/31/2012
•
Admittedly, this genre is not my regular choice for leisure reading, but there had been something compelling about the story of Morgan and Thayde, which had begun on Central Florida's Treasure Coast in the first book of the trilogy, so I had to go for it... and I'm glad that I did.
Fathom: the Saga of Mermaids, Merpeople and More continues...
This second book begins in the unlikely setting of New York City, as Morgan and Thayde start their life together as students at Columbia University. I could get picky with details here, as early on we find Morgan saying: "Downtown Manhattan is not my favorite place. For one, forget the fact that it's dirty and crowded - the buildings are so tall they block the sun! However, the restaurants are amazing and diverse. You can get a good Indian curry and a meaty pierogi on the same street corner." As a resident of NYC, I might take issue with it being "dirty" here (where was she hanging out?), but she's right about the diversity of food found here.
"New York is known as the city that never sleeps and that is the truth." Yes, it is.
This book definitely had a darker feel in the beginning, with Morgan's powers seeming to be taking a murky turn, and with Thayde succumbing to an illness. Won't drop any spoilers here, but it seems that the apparent solution to this sickness has to involve a character that we encountered in the first book, a merman who happens to be Thayde's nemesis. And it appears that Morgan is about to collapse under her own insecurities.
But Ashley Knight is often full of surprises when you least expect them, where she bursts out with a sentence or a paragraph that will jolt the reader with how well she writes from the heart when in familiar territory. The beginning of one particular chapter has a very good example of this:
"I'd forgotten how clean and sweet the Idaho air smelled. In the forests, the strong smell of pine sap mingled with the fragrance of healthy soil and rainbow of wild flowers. I lay on my back looking through the tamarack trees to the vivid blue sky. Chipmunks scurried along the branches angrily informing each other a stranger was among them. Closing my eyes, I listened. Listened to the wind move through the trees, making their leaves shuffle against each other. Listened to the water from the lake lap against its silver shore. Listened to the hawks cry as they circled above the trees. I was home."
I had to read this passage a few times, then closed my eyes, imagining, even yearning for the smell and feeling that was being described by these words in one of the most three dimensional passages I've read in a novel this year. As noted above, Ms. Knight is right there with unexpected literary surprises, and this wasn't the only one.
And among the other surprises are the ways with which the author chose to deal with religious, spiritual and moral values, and managed to throw magic into the mix. This is not delving into the often not-too-subtle Christian fiction ground, as she doesn't get preachy with personal beliefs, but to put it simply, she approaches ethics from a surprisingly high level if one reads her words carefully, especially when Morgan, as 'The Link' has to deal with the question of killing ones enemy for the good of many.
There are diverse ranges of concepts regarding merpeople covered in Ms. Knight's Book II, and in the pages here we find that 'cording' and 'linking' have enormous importance, that not every mermaid and merman have the ability to cord. The issues of genuine intimacy building between Morgan and Thayde, along with romance and passion, and the associated problems with them, are dealt with in a more mature and realistic fashion that we found in Fins , yet I would highly recommend to anyone looking at this trilogy to start with that book.
There were parts in the first half of this book where it seemed that the story was running out of steam in places, foundering in its own darkness as if the characters themselves were struggling to find some direction. It reminded this reader of the sea itself, with the oceanic wind waves differing in height, duration and shape, with little predictability. But readers of trilogies often find that the second is frequently the darkest, and sometimes the most contemplative, and in this Fathom follows that excellent literary pattern.
For many, it's the allure that mermaids have in our culture that will attract readers to Ms. Knight's Fins Trilogy, and in that they will not be disappointed. But for this reader, it's the way that she puts her words together that makes her stand out, as I've noted in the quoted paragraph above.
I took the dive into this series, and guess that I'm hooked now. Will have to see what Ashley Knight comes up with as the conclusion to this Fins Trilogy in Forever, the recently-announced Book III of the Fins Trilogy,... and then what she will come up with next.
Fans of the Fins Trilogy can stay up to date at Ashley Knight's Website here.
Note: this review appeared earlier on Amazon.com in a different form.
7/31/2012
• 
May 28, 2011
Fathom puts a darker, edgier twist on Ashley Knight’s mermaid “tails” that began with the magical Fins. As the story unfolds, Morgan and her merman fiancé Thayde are living in New York City about to start college. But there’s trouble brewing. Morgan’s powers appear to be taking a dark turn, and Thayde is succumbing to an illness that only one person will be able to reverse. That person just happens to be Limus, Morgan and Thayde’s sworn enemy.
Unlike Fins, the characters have definitely grown up and matured in Fathom. Throughout the novel, Morgan and Thayde are forced to deal with adult issues, which can be tough for a mermaid who has just started college. Morgan contemplates her future with Thayde: will she ever get married, have a child, and be with the one person who shares half her soul?
But Fathom also deals with issues that most YA novels tend to shy away from. For example, this novel deals with the Big One: religion. Do angels really exist? Is there a God? I found it interesting that Knight manages to bring magic and religion together. As Morgan finds out more about the existence of a higher power and her own inner spirituality, one might think this book would veer off into Christian fiction territory, but not at all. Morgan doesn’t start preaching her beliefs to the reader, but instead she wonders if killing her enemy to protect the mermaid world is immoral and against her faith.
The romance in Fathom was much more developed as well. Morgan and Thayde deal with the problems of any other couple--sex, break-ups, etc.-- which adds more realism and depth than the “love at first sight” relationship they had in Fins. And there are definitely Morgan/Thayde moments in Fathom that are probably going to get the girls swooning!
I loved slipping back into Ashley Knight’s wonderful, mesmerizing undersea world and reuniting with my favorite characters, as well as meeting some new ones. I definitely can’t wait to immerse myself in Forever, the third installment of the series, because there are still some loose ends to be tied up that I can’t wait to see how they are resolved.
So, dive into the second book of the Fins Trilogy and experience the magic and wonder that first began with Fins and is taken up a gigantic notch with Fathom!
Unlike Fins, the characters have definitely grown up and matured in Fathom. Throughout the novel, Morgan and Thayde are forced to deal with adult issues, which can be tough for a mermaid who has just started college. Morgan contemplates her future with Thayde: will she ever get married, have a child, and be with the one person who shares half her soul?
But Fathom also deals with issues that most YA novels tend to shy away from. For example, this novel deals with the Big One: religion. Do angels really exist? Is there a God? I found it interesting that Knight manages to bring magic and religion together. As Morgan finds out more about the existence of a higher power and her own inner spirituality, one might think this book would veer off into Christian fiction territory, but not at all. Morgan doesn’t start preaching her beliefs to the reader, but instead she wonders if killing her enemy to protect the mermaid world is immoral and against her faith.
The romance in Fathom was much more developed as well. Morgan and Thayde deal with the problems of any other couple--sex, break-ups, etc.-- which adds more realism and depth than the “love at first sight” relationship they had in Fins. And there are definitely Morgan/Thayde moments in Fathom that are probably going to get the girls swooning!
I loved slipping back into Ashley Knight’s wonderful, mesmerizing undersea world and reuniting with my favorite characters, as well as meeting some new ones. I definitely can’t wait to immerse myself in Forever, the third installment of the series, because there are still some loose ends to be tied up that I can’t wait to see how they are resolved.
So, dive into the second book of the Fins Trilogy and experience the magic and wonder that first began with Fins and is taken up a gigantic notch with Fathom!
July 21, 2012
In Fathom, Ashley Knight’s sequel to her debut novel Fins, Morgan and Thayde are attempting to lead as normal of a life as possible. However, dark forces are determined to destroy Morgan before she has begun her predestined role as “The Link” for her kind.
As the novel unfolds, the reader discovers the journey Morgan must take. She is forced by powers beyond her control to push to her physical, psychological, and spiritual strength to their limits, and sometimes beyond. In doing this, Fathom addresses many issues that young adults face; heartbreak, self-doubt, despair, love, loyalty, and the quest for a higher power to guide their lives. Mrs. Knight addresses these issues with grace and compassion through the eyes of her main character.
Fathom, the second book of the Fins series, is a must read for the young adult who loves well-developed characters who find a way to triumph, even in the most desperate situations. This rollercoaster ride carries the reader into the dark mysterious world Morgan must conquer if she is to save a nation that depends on her existence, the man she loves, and even herself. Mrs. Knight has, once again, taken mermaids to places no one could ever imagine!
The Masquerade Crew (http://s.tt/1irmw)
As the novel unfolds, the reader discovers the journey Morgan must take. She is forced by powers beyond her control to push to her physical, psychological, and spiritual strength to their limits, and sometimes beyond. In doing this, Fathom addresses many issues that young adults face; heartbreak, self-doubt, despair, love, loyalty, and the quest for a higher power to guide their lives. Mrs. Knight addresses these issues with grace and compassion through the eyes of her main character.
Fathom, the second book of the Fins series, is a must read for the young adult who loves well-developed characters who find a way to triumph, even in the most desperate situations. This rollercoaster ride carries the reader into the dark mysterious world Morgan must conquer if she is to save a nation that depends on her existence, the man she loves, and even herself. Mrs. Knight has, once again, taken mermaids to places no one could ever imagine!
The Masquerade Crew (http://s.tt/1irmw)
February 10, 2012
While it's been a while since I'd read Fins, I didn't find myself feeling too lost with book two. Like with book one, I really enjoyed this, only wished it were longer! I was happy to see quite a bit of Naira, and loved her interactions with Morgan. Morgan and Thayde progressed nicely as a couple, and though I was surprised at what happened before he left, I was happy that in the end, they did it again with everyone around. It was interesting to see what happened between Morgan and Thayde with the cording, and I felt for both of them with what they went through. I'm really curious to see what comes next, especially with Herra.
May 16, 2013
Olivia (11) just adored this whole series, they are her favorite books of all time thus far... she is a big reader, so that speaks volumes to me.
April 26, 2019
I LOVE this series, and I definitely recommend this book series to everyone!!! Just note that it is for more of a mature audience. :)
May 3, 2012
For those of you waiting anxiously, the wait is over. Once again we get to revisit the world of Morgan and Thayde. In Fathom, Morgan attempts to continue to live a normal life by moving to New York with Thayde to begin college. As overpowering dark thoughts begin to take control of her and a horrible disease called The Shadow threatens the love of her life, all thoughts of normality are brought to a screeching halt. Will Morgan master her powers and overcome these overwhelming odds or will she fail due to her own insecurities?
Ashley Knight has once again struck gold with Fathom. The familiar feeling from Fins returns and it’s as if you never left at all. As the darkness of the story unfolded around the characters, I was on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next. I felt like I was a part of the story because I felt the same things the characters did at times and I could totally identify with Morgan. So much pressure on one’s shoulders can make you feel like you’re asked to do the impossible but with faith, the impossible becomes possible. You just have to believe.
When the story ended, I had to reflect on everything that had happened in both books. I think I can count on one hand how many books I’ve read where the sequel is better than the first. Fathom is an amazing continuation and I look forward to the next time I get to visit the world Ashley Knight has created. She is truly one of the masters of her craft.
A huge thank you to Ashley Knight for the ARC. It in no way influenced my review.
Ashley Knight has once again struck gold with Fathom. The familiar feeling from Fins returns and it’s as if you never left at all. As the darkness of the story unfolded around the characters, I was on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next. I felt like I was a part of the story because I felt the same things the characters did at times and I could totally identify with Morgan. So much pressure on one’s shoulders can make you feel like you’re asked to do the impossible but with faith, the impossible becomes possible. You just have to believe.
When the story ended, I had to reflect on everything that had happened in both books. I think I can count on one hand how many books I’ve read where the sequel is better than the first. Fathom is an amazing continuation and I look forward to the next time I get to visit the world Ashley Knight has created. She is truly one of the masters of her craft.
A huge thank you to Ashley Knight for the ARC. It in no way influenced my review.
September 19, 2016
Book Review- Fathom by Ashley L. Knight
Morgan is having horrible nightmares since the Blessing. She keeps seeing Thayde dying. She doesn’t want to let him out of her sight. Yet she is feeling strange. Her anger is taking over. She is overwhelmed with being the Link. She feels like two people are inhabiting her body. After almost losing Thayde her body shuts down. She is being sent someone that will help her learn her powers.
Tammer and Thayde have a mission of their own. They have to find Limus. The shadow that Limus infected Thayde with is taking over. Morgan will have to confront Limus again. She is also having doubts about herself. She needs to get stronger and trust herself. Her loved ones are going to be counting on her to fulfill her destiny.
I love this series. I like how the author shows how much Morgan is struggling. The responsibilities she now has is crushing. Her fear and doubts are understandable and tangible. She is a great character. She is trying her hardest to do what is right but like the rest of us would love to crawl into bed and hide from the world. She is very relatable. This story really dealt with her internal battle.
Her relationship with Thayde is sweet. I love how it progressed in this story. I loved the ending. I know that the last story will be dealing with the villain that wasn’t found in this one. I can’t wait to see how she handles everything. I give this book a 4 out of 5.
Morgan is having horrible nightmares since the Blessing. She keeps seeing Thayde dying. She doesn’t want to let him out of her sight. Yet she is feeling strange. Her anger is taking over. She is overwhelmed with being the Link. She feels like two people are inhabiting her body. After almost losing Thayde her body shuts down. She is being sent someone that will help her learn her powers.
Tammer and Thayde have a mission of their own. They have to find Limus. The shadow that Limus infected Thayde with is taking over. Morgan will have to confront Limus again. She is also having doubts about herself. She needs to get stronger and trust herself. Her loved ones are going to be counting on her to fulfill her destiny.
I love this series. I like how the author shows how much Morgan is struggling. The responsibilities she now has is crushing. Her fear and doubts are understandable and tangible. She is a great character. She is trying her hardest to do what is right but like the rest of us would love to crawl into bed and hide from the world. She is very relatable. This story really dealt with her internal battle.
Her relationship with Thayde is sweet. I love how it progressed in this story. I loved the ending. I know that the last story will be dealing with the villain that wasn’t found in this one. I can’t wait to see how she handles everything. I give this book a 4 out of 5.
July 15, 2011
Well, the first half of the book was a solid 4 to me... and the 2nd half was a solid 2.. so I averaged it out to be a 3... but I would probably give it a 2.5, if I could.
What started off well, sort of became all discombobulated and uneven.
If I'm to be completely honest, I was also slightly disturbed by a very weird, out of context, heavily religious slant that covered about 2.5 to 3 pages toward the end. It's not that I'm anti-religion.. it simply just didn't fit in. Don't get me wrong, this isn't the only reason I started feeling alienated as a reader.. but to give more information would be to spoil the plot, and I won't do that.
As an adult reader of YA fiction.... I think that this series was a little too much on the Young end for me. If it goes in the direction it finished in, perhaps it would be better marketed toward the Christian Young Adult market.. (if there is such a thing)?
Either way, I left feeling frustrated that such a fantastic premise wasn't used to it's full advantage. So much more color and life could have been added to this wonderfully imaginative story.
I'm sorry.. but I don't think I will be purchasing the final book in this series... this one lost me.
What started off well, sort of became all discombobulated and uneven.
If I'm to be completely honest, I was also slightly disturbed by a very weird, out of context, heavily religious slant that covered about 2.5 to 3 pages toward the end. It's not that I'm anti-religion.. it simply just didn't fit in. Don't get me wrong, this isn't the only reason I started feeling alienated as a reader.. but to give more information would be to spoil the plot, and I won't do that.
As an adult reader of YA fiction.... I think that this series was a little too much on the Young end for me. If it goes in the direction it finished in, perhaps it would be better marketed toward the Christian Young Adult market.. (if there is such a thing)?
Either way, I left feeling frustrated that such a fantastic premise wasn't used to it's full advantage. So much more color and life could have been added to this wonderfully imaginative story.
I'm sorry.. but I don't think I will be purchasing the final book in this series... this one lost me.
January 3, 2013
not as good as the first. but still good
April 13, 2013
Meh. It was ok. Not as good as the first. A bit too... lovey-dovy for me. She also stole a famous line from The Hunger Games. ("Stay with me?" "Always.")
June 12, 2017
Fintastic! lol
June 30, 2014
really enjoyed it.
June 20, 2014
it was ok
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews