Pontus and Electra to the Depths of the Sea: A Novel in Verse

by Shanti Hershenson

Heartwarming, beautiful, and uniquely devastating—an environmental tale of love under the sea.

Welcome to the lonely life of Pontus. Until the most pivotal moment of his life (other than the day a thick darkness consumed the waters), he believes he is the only great white shark in his underwater world.

Welcome to the lonely life of Electra. Until the most unexpected moment of her life (other than the day a monster snatched her mother from the waters), she believes she will never find comfort in another again.

Together, Pontus and Electra find meaning in their lives through unconditional love and the hope and joy of company in an expansive ocean. But plagued by humanity's horrors and a drizzle of existential dread, their bonds are tested, and the innocence of a romance under the sea will never be so simple again.

As unconventional as it is captivating, Pontus and Electra to the Depths of the Sea is both a romance and a tragedy told in poetry. It is a testament to the terrors of our habitats and a story of true love outside human norms. As an award-winning teen author’s third work of poetry, it stands out as a book every person who cares about the environment should experience at least once.


- Winner of the Literary Titan Gold Book Award
- 2025 Readers' Favorite Silver Medalist
- Literary Global Book Awards Finalist

Genres: Fantasy, Poetry, Animals, Ebooks

174 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2025

About the author

Shanti Hershenson’s first two novellas were published when she was in the sixth grade, although her writing journey started long before then. Ever since she could hold a pencil, marker, or crayon, she was creating stories. They started from pictures, mere scribbles, and eventually, turned into captivating tales.

Reviews

[Mackenzie P · Rating 5 out of 5]

GO READ THIS !!!!!!!

I need to donate to a shark protection thingy now.

I CRIED.


GO READ THIS!!!

WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE!!!?????!?

GOOOOOO!!!!!

[Tatianna Kaha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great read about two individuals two sharks who have two different personalities that fall in love through their travels and then also through their trauma and what also is going on today regarding sharks being captured and killed for fans to eat for money and you see the lives how they live together and also Their love for each other. One getting over his fear of darkness, the other learning to love something that scares her because she was with the one she loved. It was such a great book. I cried at the end and I loved the little facts about sharks that are in there and if sharks could talk, love it.

[Sydney Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

honestly with this style of writing I was nervous because it's not my typical read but I kind you not I was crying over a couple of sharks living life in the sea. I don't want to spoil anything but this young woman really took a bunch of beautiful poems and turned it into a story that fits so well with the fact of sharks not being able to communicate. I have already recommended this book to SO many friends.

[I.M Orchid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never thought I’d cry over a love story about two sharks, but here I am. “Pontus & Electra: To the Depths of the Sea” is a beautiful novel written in verse about such an original concept only Shanti Hershenson could pull off this greatly. Every chapter is more beautiful than the other, all adding up to a gorgeous and heartbreaking story. I hope this book gets the recognition it deserves because it really is amazing. A huge recommendation from me!

[Lily Violet ⭐ · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this early, it was a wonderful experience. I loved every second of it, the unique story and especially the whimsical poetry and descriptions. please make more stories like this, I don't think any one can understand the lives of animals better.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Pontus and Electra: To the Depths of the Sea, Shanti Hershenson weaves a lyrical, aching tale of two lonely great white sharks—Pontus and Electra—who find purpose and connection in each other. Told in a poetic, vignette-like structure, the book alternates perspectives, blending environmental commentary with raw emotion and surprising tenderness. Against the backdrop of warming oceans, human threats, and grief, Pontus and Electra navigate fear, loss, companionship, and ultimately love, diving deeper into the sea and each other.

I didn’t expect to get emotional reading about sharks, but here I am, completely gutted and grateful. Hershenson writes with a dreamy style that’s both tender and brutal. Lines float like seafoam and then crash like waves. I loved the way she captures the loneliness of the ocean, of being “one-of-a-kind,” of searching the blue void for someone who understands. And when Pontus meets Electra? I held my breath. Their relationship builds slowly, clumsily, beautifully. It’s not just a romance, it’s survival, forgiveness, and healing.

There’s no traditional plot arc, and the prose leans on repetition and abstraction. But for me, it worked. It made the ocean feel mythic, the sharks feel ancient and sentient. The environmental message about pollution, overfishing, oil spills, and the cruelty of finning hits hard, but it never feels preachy. It’s heartbreaking because it’s told through creatures just trying to live. The parts about Electra losing her mother were absolutely wrenching.

Pontus and Electra is a love story, yes, but also a quiet plea to look deeper, to care more, to recognize the wild hearts beneath the waves. I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy poetic storytelling, character-driven narratives, or marine life in fiction. Teens and adults alike could connect with it. It’s especially perfect for fans of lyrical prose and gentle speculative stories.

[sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

arc!!!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

pontus and electra to the depths of the sea is a novel not written in prose, but through thoughtful verse. I've never read a book about sharks, much less a love story between them.

the book starts and ends strong. it was intriguing reading the separate backstories of electra and pontus and I loved their first meeting. it was heartbreaking reading their ending.

I did not expect their outcome, but I should have. it's clear the author put in a lot of research and care in writing this book. when the word **monster** was mentioned, it was enunciated, and I enjoyed that little touch as it shows the true horror of sharks is the humans that capture them.

I loved that here was no dialogue (obviously, they’re sharks), because it makes the little gestures and actions between electra and pontus more meaningful.

from the awareness on human intrusion among nature’s animals to a short love story that ends in tragedy, I truly loved this novel. I would recommend for any sea animal lover looking to read a short love story that is simultaneously sweet and haunting.

[Alyssa Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this novella was beautiful, from its poignant themes to its beautiful verse. So much raw emotion was captured in such a short story, and I am left in awe by this young author and her ability.

I really enjoyed how themes were presented in this book. One major theme, human interference on our planet, is not only incredibly timely but also skillfully woven into the plot of the story. Another, loneliness, was very cleverly handled here through the use of figurative language and personification. It is such a human emotion, but is believably portrayed through the perspective of these two sharks. Their alternating perspecitves were also very welll emphasized through the formatting of the text.

I found myself crying by the end of this story. We are all residents of this planet, and we are not as different from each other as it may seem.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌊 Arc Reader 🦈

Pontus and Electra to the Depths of the Sea is a really cool and emotional story told in poetry form—which sounds weird at first, but it actually works. It’s about two Great White sharks, Pontus and Electra, who fall in love and deal with some heavy stuff, like loss and the impact humans have on the ocean. The writing is super lyrical and pretty, though the poetry format might not be everyone’s thing. Still, it hits hard in a good way and makes you think. If you're into ocean vibes, unique storytelling, and a little heartbreak, give this one a shot. It’s different, but in the best way.

[Marie Cordalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Ode To The Incredible Beings Who Are Sharks

I shed copious tears over this lovely little book of verse. It's an amazing homage to sharks. In this case Great Whites. I love sharks,. I love the ocean and all of its amazing inhabitants. Where I grew up I spent almost more time in the ocean than on land and I swam with sharks without fear because they never once menaced me. The people I learned about the ocean from had a respect for sharks and all ocean life. Pontus and Electra is beautiful and an important look at the truth of the damage we've done and are doing. And a beautiful love story.
I received a copy of this book via a giveaway.

[Jennifer L Speidel · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there is one thing I am without a doubt afraid of it is sharks. This beautifully written verse made me feel differently about these predators, at least from the safety of my couch. It is a beautiful love story of trust and discovery. Their world individually is tragic and lonely until they find each other. From the first “kiss” to their last moments, Hershenson uses powerful storytelling to make the reader love them. It’s about sharks, it’s about life, it’s about finding that one person in all the world that is for you. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to read such a unique love story through Good Reads giveaways.

[Juliette Sobanet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a unique and beautifully written story-told-in-poetry, and I truly did fall in love with the two sharks in the story, Pontus and Electra. Their love story and the bigger messages behind the story were extremely powerful. Immerse yourself in the sea with Pontus and Electra - you won't be disappointed!

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way this book was written is very unique but in the best way possible! It’s a very different plot than I usually see and it was amazing. At some points I wanted to shed a few tears so it’s definitely on the emotional side a little. It’s very quick to read and I was so invested in it from the get go. Would recommend!

[Paula Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a type of novel I would read under most circumstances. All said, I really enjoyed the lack of empty space in Hershenson's writing and would read another book by her. She always knew what to say within these verses. The girl is also seventeen. She's doing amazing.

[Kennea Mathes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so well written I loved it and between life and kids it took me a couple days but I flew through it when I could and it kept me captivated. I don’t know how to explain it but this read felt so poetic to me! It was a beautiful story and I have a new found appreciation for sharks 🦈

[Aspen Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not usually a poetry reader, but it was great. I recommend it to everyone.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

So amazed that their are young people out there taking their futures seriously. Awesome book! Good luck....

[NESKA · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5🌟🌟🌟🌟 beautifully written

[Avery Hammersmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a summer childhood whimsy style book filled with prose and deeper meanings. Overall I quite enjoyed this read and tried to take it all in while reading it. As a certified shark obsessed girly, the main characters being sharks was a highlight of this adorable summer read. My main critique would be to include more emotional depth to the characters and to keep the deeper tones in the end throughout the whole story.