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Water Realm #1
Water Blessed
Ocean lives in a world where water is scarce. Her village names all of their females after water, in hopes of gaining favor with the Fates. For every 20 years a Water Blessed is chosen. Someone who can create water at will. Men take multiples water wives with the sole purpose of fetching water 10 miles away from the dangerous and crowded well. When Ocean finds herself being auctioned off to the highest bidder, Seth, a royal knight, changes her life forever. But what the Fates have in store for Ocean might prove too much and sometimes love isn't enough.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2015
266 people are currently reading
1073 people want to read
About the author
Leia Stone
93 books6,588 followersLeia Stone is the USA Today bestselling author of multiple bestselling series including Matefinder and Wolf Girl. She's sold over two million books and her Fallen Academy series has been optioned for film. Her novels have been translated into five languages and she even dabbles in script writing. Leia writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance with sassy kick-butt heroines and irresistible love interests. She lives in Spokane, WA with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
December 22, 2018
Will book 2 be coming out this year? This being "Water Realm #1" implies there will be a second book and a third. This book came out almost 2 years ago. I'm not gonna lie, I like your writing style even though you only write from one point of view and your stories are a bit too short for how good they are so it's more of a tease than a satisfying good read. What I don't like is authors starting multiple series' and letting years go by before they finish them if they even do because it's not like you've responded to your fans inquiries. I've read the Matefinder series but I'm not even sure if that's truly finished because "Keeper" is book #1 of the new generation at that was over a year ago. Now this, another series left incomplete. It's a bit cruel to build a fan base and then not finish series' that you start. I want to read more books by you because you're a good writer but what's the point if you barely finish anything you start. It's kind of a waste of time to get emotionally invested in a story you'll never know the end of...so why start. Seems to me you want to lose readers with that business strategy but that's just my opinion. Despite it all, the book was good.
October 7, 2015
This book would be best suited to a younger reader who is just delving into the fanasty genre. I know that if I had read this book when I was younger, it would have drawn me in hook, line, and sinker.
Unfortunately, I guess for the author, I read this book as an adult; and I found it extremely lacking. It had very little works building and while the idea of the story was outstanding and fantastically creative, the lack of detail and the place at which the author set the story made for a rushed book. I continually felt myself wanting more. More character development, more dialogue, more descriptive writing.
Again, it was definitely meant for a younger reader, especially with dialogue that seemed to fit today's teenagers. So sadly for me, I'm not in any rush to contribute to read this series. I'm just to disappointed with what out could have been.
Unfortunately, I guess for the author, I read this book as an adult; and I found it extremely lacking. It had very little works building and while the idea of the story was outstanding and fantastically creative, the lack of detail and the place at which the author set the story made for a rushed book. I continually felt myself wanting more. More character development, more dialogue, more descriptive writing.
Again, it was definitely meant for a younger reader, especially with dialogue that seemed to fit today's teenagers. So sadly for me, I'm not in any rush to contribute to read this series. I'm just to disappointed with what out could have been.
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October 12, 2015A great new adve.ture!
Leia Stone has done it again! The story is a magical journey that starts off with misery and ends with wonder. Love the characters Seth and Ocean. Looking forward to the next book.
Leia Stone has done it again! The story is a magical journey that starts off with misery and ends with wonder. Love the characters Seth and Ocean. Looking forward to the next book.
October 6, 2015
I love Leia Stone's books. This is something new and amazing... I read it in one day. Can't wait to read more!!
June 8, 2019
Wonderful
Oh my I couldn't put this book down! Finished it in one day. The plot was incredible, the twists and turns were unexpected. I'm wondering what will happen next. I do,d myself wanting to write a new book just to let it and the way I want it to.
Oh my I couldn't put this book down! Finished it in one day. The plot was incredible, the twists and turns were unexpected. I'm wondering what will happen next. I do,d myself wanting to write a new book just to let it and the way I want it to.
July 1, 2022
loved it
I couldn't put this book down. I am going right now to see if book 2 is available. I site hope so.
I couldn't put this book down. I am going right now to see if book 2 is available. I site hope so.
March 15, 2016
I brought this after reading Leia's collaboration with Jaymin Eve, Ash. The world-building in this was my favorite part and I really can't do its depth and complexity justice in a few words. We also have a strong woman, trialed by hardships, who demands the respect of those around her. Really, after reading this I just want more.
May 15, 2022
Again Leia Stone has not disappointed me at all. I don't want to give anything away but if you liked her other books read this one.
September 6, 2017
Things I want to give this book credit for: there is a complete story present in this book. Readers won't feel pressured to keep reading more in this series if they don't want to.
The writing level was acceptable.Stone seemed to be trying for a sing song, mythical, fairy tale kind of vibe. She mostly pulls it off--though there are areas that seem to be preachy or that exist simply so she can subvert readers' expectations.
The characters are pretty miserable. I don't like Ocean's friend Lake and she makes so little appearance, that she seems like an afterthought rather than a supporting character. I hate hate hate hate hate the love interest. This dude needs to find a pit to crawl into and either die of heat death or drown in the rain Ocean raises across the land.
I don't know enough of about many of the other characters to form opinions of bonds. I wanted to connect with Ocean's mother, she was interesting and daring. The book should have been about her or it could have had chapters told from her view. She has so much motivated her. A husband she married for love who died. A child she loves more than her own life, she decides to send her daughter out in the world, where she may well die, but even a small chance at a better life is worth this mom's probable death. Then she finds her daughter is water blessed and instead of answering this mom's dreams for her child, they only compound her worries, and she still loses ties with her daughter.
I hate that one of the water blessed wrote to Ocean something along the lines of "the King is a good person, he just likes money more than human lives." --the literal definition of not a good person. It made me think this character portrayed as "wise" was really stupid and a waste of space. I was relieved she died so I wouldn't have to deal with her.
The world had interesting elements that Stone quelled for a contrived predictable story. I would have liked more details on Jewel Mountain's culture and history. I would have liked to understand the King and its people better.
I resented that the one matriarchal society was so stereotypical. Glossed over and superficial, why even bother, just make the whole damn world revolve around men.
Also, the book is obsessed with reviewing the water wife premise over and over again. The more we hear it, the less sense it makes. First of all, why doesn't the village move closer the well? There land sucks, there's nothing special keeping them in one place, why not be honest nomads instead of just being called nomads by Jewel Mountain's people.
Second, the more wives you take into a household, the more water you need. I doubt the two can balance the other out. Plus it makes more sense to have water husbands. One woman means it's easier to control how many children a family has, and men are just as well equipped to carry water long distances and face danger. Women are just as well equipped to do--what is it the men in the village do? It's never explained what or how this village works. We know they can't make clothes, only one of them can farm, none of them can smith, so why does this town exist?
This review makes it sound like I hated the novel, but I didn't. There's a lot that's problematic (and I don't want to touch the issues I had with casual rape and murder--but they exist too), but there's still something compelling about it. Ocean is a powerful protagonist and she shows the essentials that could create personality. The world and even the premise all have bright spots. It feels like instead of exploring them, Stone rushes through all the cores in order to tell as story that lacks impact.
The writing level was acceptable.Stone seemed to be trying for a sing song, mythical, fairy tale kind of vibe. She mostly pulls it off--though there are areas that seem to be preachy or that exist simply so she can subvert readers' expectations.
The characters are pretty miserable. I don't like Ocean's friend Lake and she makes so little appearance, that she seems like an afterthought rather than a supporting character. I hate hate hate hate hate the love interest. This dude needs to find a pit to crawl into and either die of heat death or drown in the rain Ocean raises across the land.
I don't know enough of about many of the other characters to form opinions of bonds. I wanted to connect with Ocean's mother, she was interesting and daring. The book should have been about her or it could have had chapters told from her view. She has so much motivated her. A husband she married for love who died. A child she loves more than her own life, she decides to send her daughter out in the world, where she may well die, but even a small chance at a better life is worth this mom's probable death. Then she finds her daughter is water blessed and instead of answering this mom's dreams for her child, they only compound her worries, and she still loses ties with her daughter.
I hate that one of the water blessed wrote to Ocean something along the lines of "the King is a good person, he just likes money more than human lives." --the literal definition of not a good person. It made me think this character portrayed as "wise" was really stupid and a waste of space. I was relieved she died so I wouldn't have to deal with her.
The world had interesting elements that Stone quelled for a contrived predictable story. I would have liked more details on Jewel Mountain's culture and history. I would have liked to understand the King and its people better.
I resented that the one matriarchal society was so stereotypical. Glossed over and superficial, why even bother, just make the whole damn world revolve around men.
Also, the book is obsessed with reviewing the water wife premise over and over again. The more we hear it, the less sense it makes. First of all, why doesn't the village move closer the well? There land sucks, there's nothing special keeping them in one place, why not be honest nomads instead of just being called nomads by Jewel Mountain's people.
Second, the more wives you take into a household, the more water you need. I doubt the two can balance the other out. Plus it makes more sense to have water husbands. One woman means it's easier to control how many children a family has, and men are just as well equipped to carry water long distances and face danger. Women are just as well equipped to do--what is it the men in the village do? It's never explained what or how this village works. We know they can't make clothes, only one of them can farm, none of them can smith, so why does this town exist?
This review makes it sound like I hated the novel, but I didn't. There's a lot that's problematic (and I don't want to touch the issues I had with casual rape and murder--but they exist too), but there's still something compelling about it. Ocean is a powerful protagonist and she shows the essentials that could create personality. The world and even the premise all have bright spots. It feels like instead of exploring them, Stone rushes through all the cores in order to tell as story that lacks impact.
June 5, 2020
A Really Interesting Look At Water Poverty In A Fantasy Setting!!💔🙏💧
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
Water Blessed (Water Realm #1)
Ocean is From a small water poor village in a realm that hasn't had water, unless from deep Well's, for many generations. The women have to make a 20 mile round trip, on foot, to get water!😔 They carry the extremely heavy water containers on the heads back home.💔😢 Once every 20 years one women is blessed by the Fates to create water at will. She's revered by the people in all 4 Kingdoms & all of the town's & villages.🙏💕🌟
Water is such an important commodity that many take advantage of. Thugs bully, beat, steal & rape at the Well's.😭 Ocean is going to be sold to a cruel man to become his new 'water wife'.😡 Her Mum is as hurried as she is & helps her arrange to run away. Just before she leaves the village she struck by a blue bolt of lightning.⚡ She has been chosen, she's the newest Water Blessed!🙏💧Now she needs to make the best deal for her people & herself.👍
Seth, the very sexy guard sent to try win her for his kingdom, informs her he will be her personal guard from now on. They're very taken with each other.😍 It becomes clear, on arrival at her new home, that the King only cares about coin not his people!😡 The elderly Water Blessed meets her & informs that she's been dreaming about Ocean for years, as has another of the Water Blessed!😲 They believe she will end the drought for everyone but she warns her to trust no one.😕
I really enjoyed this read. I'm looking forward to reading more from the series.🌟
Debbie, 1970, UK
(Read using Kindle Unlimited)
Water Blessed (Water Realm #1)
Ocean is From a small water poor village in a realm that hasn't had water, unless from deep Well's, for many generations. The women have to make a 20 mile round trip, on foot, to get water!😔 They carry the extremely heavy water containers on the heads back home.💔😢 Once every 20 years one women is blessed by the Fates to create water at will. She's revered by the people in all 4 Kingdoms & all of the town's & villages.🙏💕🌟
Water is such an important commodity that many take advantage of. Thugs bully, beat, steal & rape at the Well's.😭 Ocean is going to be sold to a cruel man to become his new 'water wife'.😡 Her Mum is as hurried as she is & helps her arrange to run away. Just before she leaves the village she struck by a blue bolt of lightning.⚡ She has been chosen, she's the newest Water Blessed!🙏💧Now she needs to make the best deal for her people & herself.👍
Seth, the very sexy guard sent to try win her for his kingdom, informs her he will be her personal guard from now on. They're very taken with each other.😍 It becomes clear, on arrival at her new home, that the King only cares about coin not his people!😡 The elderly Water Blessed meets her & informs that she's been dreaming about Ocean for years, as has another of the Water Blessed!😲 They believe she will end the drought for everyone but she warns her to trust no one.😕
I really enjoyed this read. I'm looking forward to reading more from the series.🌟
Debbie, 1970, UK
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2017
We may cry over a drop of spilled milk, they’ll go to war over a drop of water!
The world is practically dry. Only a precious few wells are accessible. And water is wealth.
However, every twenty years, the Fates bless a young woman to be the water blessed, who can at will, produce water from her very palm and rain from the seemingly permanently cloudless sky. Those who are so blessed are auctioned to one of the four kingdoms who pitch their offers to the village for the gift of water.
On the eve of her wedding as another water wife to her best friends brutal husband, the Fates ordain Ocean as the next Water Blessed. Suddenly life changes! From the expectation of a life of back breaking work carrying water and daily beatings (& worse) from an unwanted, brutal and lecherous old man, she can make her dream a reality! Free water for all!
That’s assuming, of course, that her dreams match those of the kingdom who will own the rights to her gift.
A great concept delivered in a mostly brilliant way. The story of Ocean and her struggles and that of her people and those within and outside the four kingdoms is heartbreaking - a world where water is such a precious commodity that you access or lack thereof really brings out the deep hidden nature within the characters. Occasionally it can be a little repetitive, but that do not detract from this brilliant story. I just hope vol2 is on its way soon!
The world is practically dry. Only a precious few wells are accessible. And water is wealth.
However, every twenty years, the Fates bless a young woman to be the water blessed, who can at will, produce water from her very palm and rain from the seemingly permanently cloudless sky. Those who are so blessed are auctioned to one of the four kingdoms who pitch their offers to the village for the gift of water.
On the eve of her wedding as another water wife to her best friends brutal husband, the Fates ordain Ocean as the next Water Blessed. Suddenly life changes! From the expectation of a life of back breaking work carrying water and daily beatings (& worse) from an unwanted, brutal and lecherous old man, she can make her dream a reality! Free water for all!
That’s assuming, of course, that her dreams match those of the kingdom who will own the rights to her gift.
A great concept delivered in a mostly brilliant way. The story of Ocean and her struggles and that of her people and those within and outside the four kingdoms is heartbreaking - a world where water is such a precious commodity that you access or lack thereof really brings out the deep hidden nature within the characters. Occasionally it can be a little repetitive, but that do not detract from this brilliant story. I just hope vol2 is on its way soon!
January 11, 2023
It’s very obvious that this was one of the author’s first books. The writing style was odd, the characters not well developed, the dialogue and inner monologue off and you could generally tell the writer was inexperienced. The setting was interesting, but the story felt rushed and I skipped some parts of the book because of how boring they were. Also, the relationships were extremely painful to read about. 2/5
August 11, 2018
Wish there was more! This was very interesting! The plot was fresh and inventive. A water shortage could easily happen in our lifetime. The whole vying for the chance to own a water gifted person was intriguing and also frightening. This ends on a mild cliffhanger. What happens next!? I feel we've only scratched the surface of this journey. Hoping that this will continue on!
September 30, 2024
good but….
This book was good, but it’s just so simply written. The storyline is interesting, but the characters are so one dimensional it’s annoying. I like most things that Leah Stone writes but this time I kinda wish I wouldn’t have finished the book because I still want to know what happens to the story though I find I really don’t care about the characters.
This book was good, but it’s just so simply written. The storyline is interesting, but the characters are so one dimensional it’s annoying. I like most things that Leah Stone writes but this time I kinda wish I wouldn’t have finished the book because I still want to know what happens to the story though I find I really don’t care about the characters.
November 10, 2024
I really liked the idea of this book but the writing was not good. It's like I was reading an outline of a book that hadn't been fleshed out. The main characters were somehow in love after 1 day of barely speaking to each other. Probably would've been a great book if each point was fleshed out and it was about 200 pages longer.
May 21, 2017
This was engaging, but felt very rushed. I liked the characters, but I had trouble with the instant-love, and the ending felt like very abrupt to me. The concept of the world is very interesting and I would have liked to read more about it, to spend more time in it.
December 11, 2017
There were things I found lacking or didn’t like. Some details or back stories. Certain things developed too fast. But I think the unique storyline makes up for it. It’s such a different read it kept me interested. I’ll continue the series.
January 21, 2019
Meh
This was definitely not the author’s best written work. For some reason this quick read felt more like someone else wrote this. Some moments of this did not feel like her writing style.
This was definitely not the author’s best written work. For some reason this quick read felt more like someone else wrote this. Some moments of this did not feel like her writing style.
March 2, 2019
Great premise and flawless editing
I love the idea behind this book. The story itself is a bit simple but realistic in terms of narration - small village girl, only somewhat educated and no skills.
Not sure if there’s more to this world but I’d definitely read it if so!
I love the idea behind this book. The story itself is a bit simple but realistic in terms of narration - small village girl, only somewhat educated and no skills.
Not sure if there’s more to this world but I’d definitely read it if so!
May 6, 2022
Excellent Book!!
This was such a good book!! I seriously could not put it down!! Once you pick it up be prepared to be consumed with it until you finish! I thought it was so well written and unlike anything I’ve read. Excellent story!!! I highly recommend!!!
This was such a good book!! I seriously could not put it down!! Once you pick it up be prepared to be consumed with it until you finish! I thought it was so well written and unlike anything I’ve read. Excellent story!!! I highly recommend!!!
May 23, 2022
Waters of sacrifice
Ocean's people dream of water, ache for it. This was a very well written and interesting story. I loved Ocean's boldness and her selflessness. The characters were well written and believable, and the story was epic.
Ocean's people dream of water, ache for it. This was a very well written and interesting story. I loved Ocean's boldness and her selflessness. The characters were well written and believable, and the story was epic.
May 29, 2022
very interesting tale
What an interesting story! Thoroughly enjoyed reading about Ocean and Seth. What a shame there won’t be any more to this tale. It would be very interesting to see what happens next.
What an interesting story! Thoroughly enjoyed reading about Ocean and Seth. What a shame there won’t be any more to this tale. It would be very interesting to see what happens next.
January 9, 2023
A fast paced tale
I enjoyed the base story. It was very fast paced and the characters were fantastic. Having read other books by this author, I am excited to read the rest of this series.
I enjoyed the base story. It was very fast paced and the characters were fantastic. Having read other books by this author, I am excited to read the rest of this series.
April 9, 2024
liked it. the whole plot was a good idea i think i just wanted more from it overall, especially considering it was such a short book (only 200 pages). was slightly distracted from the romance because all i could picture was seth rogan considering his name was seth…. whoops lol
July 29, 2024
Need to finish the series 😁
Love the book and the characters. This book ended where Ocean had a vision in this story which would be the story line in the second book. Looking forward to the second book! 😁
Love the book and the characters. This book ended where Ocean had a vision in this story which would be the story line in the second book. Looking forward to the second book! 😁
October 5, 2024
nice little tale
A pleasant little tale, light on magic
It is a bit predictable, but that added to it being ‘nice’. A good synergy with current stresses around water rationing and scarcity.
A pleasant little tale, light on magic
It is a bit predictable, but that added to it being ‘nice’. A good synergy with current stresses around water rationing and scarcity.
March 25, 2017
No buildup, shallow love story
No satisfaction from reading this book. I'm asking dora refund. I do not recomend this book. Don't buy it it unless you want toen have a shallow story.
No satisfaction from reading this book. I'm asking dora refund. I do not recomend this book. Don't buy it it unless you want toen have a shallow story.
July 31, 2017
Cute book and it's a fast read. The only issue I had was with the writing, it felt for a lot younger audience then normal YA books. I can't wait to see what happens next in the series
November 14, 2017
A great story concept, but it was much too rushed. What you would typically experience in a duology or trilogy is crammed into a relatively short book. I had high hopes for this one but was let down.
December 31, 2017
Love it
I totally loved this story it's a tale like none I've read yet and those are always my favorite. I can't wait to continue the series.
A true fan!!
I totally loved this story it's a tale like none I've read yet and those are always my favorite. I can't wait to continue the series.
A true fan!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews