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Mermaids of Eriana Kwai #2
Ice Crypt
In this thrilling sequel to Ice Massacre, Meela has one chance to bring peace to her island and rescue the mermaid she loves—but it means unleashing a deadly ancient power.
*
After barely surviving the battle against the mermaids, Meela is haunted by memories of Lysi, a mermaid she was forced to leave behind. To save Lysi and stop the tyrant King Adaro, Meela and her friends embark on a perilous quest to unearth an ancient weapon called the Host of Eriana. But freeing this legendary creature comes at a terrible price—one that could cost Meela everything.
Meanwhile, in Adaro’s kingdom, Lysi is held captive and sent to the battlefront. There, she joins forces with a band of rebels that could bring her freedom…or have her executed for treason.
As Adaro’s forces close in and dark secrets are revealed, Meela and Lysi must make impossible choices, choosing between duty to their people and their love for each other. Can Meela and Lysi find a way to be together in a world torn apart by war?
Filled with epic action, forbidden love, and surprising twists, Ice Crypt is a thrilling fantasy adventure that will leave you desperate to know how Meela and Lysi’s story ends.
*
Ice Crypt is the second book in Tiana Warner’s multi-award-winning YA Sapphic Romantasy trilogy. The series is best enjoyed in order:
Ice Massacre (Mermaids of Eriana Kwai #1)
Ice Crypt (Mermaids of Eriana Kwai, #2)
Ice Kingdom (Mermaids of Eriana Kwai, #3)
*
After barely surviving the battle against the mermaids, Meela is haunted by memories of Lysi, a mermaid she was forced to leave behind. To save Lysi and stop the tyrant King Adaro, Meela and her friends embark on a perilous quest to unearth an ancient weapon called the Host of Eriana. But freeing this legendary creature comes at a terrible price—one that could cost Meela everything.
Meanwhile, in Adaro’s kingdom, Lysi is held captive and sent to the battlefront. There, she joins forces with a band of rebels that could bring her freedom…or have her executed for treason.
As Adaro’s forces close in and dark secrets are revealed, Meela and Lysi must make impossible choices, choosing between duty to their people and their love for each other. Can Meela and Lysi find a way to be together in a world torn apart by war?
Filled with epic action, forbidden love, and surprising twists, Ice Crypt is a thrilling fantasy adventure that will leave you desperate to know how Meela and Lysi’s story ends.
*
Ice Crypt is the second book in Tiana Warner’s multi-award-winning YA Sapphic Romantasy trilogy. The series is best enjoyed in order:
Ice Massacre (Mermaids of Eriana Kwai #1)
Ice Crypt (Mermaids of Eriana Kwai, #2)
Ice Kingdom (Mermaids of Eriana Kwai, #3)
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2016
55 people are currently reading
1478 people want to read
About the author
Tiana Warner
75 books738 followersTiana Warner is a #1 Amazon Bestselling Author whose books have been featured on BuzzFeed, Gizmodo, Paste Magazine, Tor, Book Riot, Foreword Reviews, and more. She is the winner of the Best Indie Book Award, the Dante Rossetti Awards, and Sequential Magazine’s Favourite Writer Award. Her works have been optioned for film and TV.
Tiana is a bisexual author who writes sapphic romance novels and comics. Her books include the critically acclaimed, Amazon bestselling series, Mermaids of Eriana Kwai and its graphic novel adaptation, as well as The Valkyrie’s Daughter (Entangled Teen), How to Flirt with a Witch, and several lesbian romance novels with Ylva Publishing.
Born and raised in British Columbia, Canada, Tiana is an outdoor enthusiast and a lifelong horseback rider. She is passionate about animal welfare and is an active volunteer with BC animal shelters and dog rescue organizations. You can often find her cuddling a foster dog, riding her horse Flynn, or exploring nature.
Find her online at tianawarner.com.
Tiana is a bisexual author who writes sapphic romance novels and comics. Her books include the critically acclaimed, Amazon bestselling series, Mermaids of Eriana Kwai and its graphic novel adaptation, as well as The Valkyrie’s Daughter (Entangled Teen), How to Flirt with a Witch, and several lesbian romance novels with Ylva Publishing.
Born and raised in British Columbia, Canada, Tiana is an outdoor enthusiast and a lifelong horseback rider. She is passionate about animal welfare and is an active volunteer with BC animal shelters and dog rescue organizations. You can often find her cuddling a foster dog, riding her horse Flynn, or exploring nature.
Find her online at tianawarner.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
July 5, 2016
Not to be modest or anything, but this is my best book yet. *hugs pages*
May 22, 2017
Ice Crypt is a worthy sequel to Ice Massacre but different in style.
Ice Massacre was a dark edge-of-your-seat action packed adventure with two female armies fighting to decimate each other. It was a true grit blood bath that I loved and I'm not even a fan of blood.
In Ice Crypt we get a much slower, balanced story with alternating view points between the main characters Meela and Lysi. Lysi's storyline is more action based while Meela's is a meandering of sorts where we feel her frustration and angst. Lysi needs to get back to Meela at all costs and Meela needs to figure out the mystery behind something she's not even sure exists. It makes for a rhythmic read with alternating chapters of intensity and slow down, intensity and slow down. It gave the pacing a kind of limp along action that I'm not entirely pleased with but was okay enough. However, the slow down isn't boring or unnecessary, either. Both storylines reveal the characters and weave together well. Towards the end, both narratives storm into action which Warner has a good knack of writing. There's a lot of imagination in this and it's fun to read.
My only gripe is that everything was fleshed out so well through the majority of the book and then a few things were resolved very quickly (too quickly?) in the last couple of chapters. I would have liked to have seen those elements get drawn out more or perhaps had the supporting characters show deeper ambivalence.
My personal preference lies in the first book because I'd never read anything like it. This second book, however, gives us richer depth into both main characters and is written well.
I definitely would not recommend reading this as a standalone book. If you haven't read the first installment turn yourself around and read it. It'll give you the backstory of the friendship, desperation, darkness, characters, allegiances, and folklore that the second book is built upon.
Overall, it's a good continuation of the series. I'm excited to read where the adventure takes us in the third book.
Ice Massacre was a dark edge-of-your-seat action packed adventure with two female armies fighting to decimate each other. It was a true grit blood bath that I loved and I'm not even a fan of blood.
In Ice Crypt we get a much slower, balanced story with alternating view points between the main characters Meela and Lysi. Lysi's storyline is more action based while Meela's is a meandering of sorts where we feel her frustration and angst. Lysi needs to get back to Meela at all costs and Meela needs to figure out the mystery behind something she's not even sure exists. It makes for a rhythmic read with alternating chapters of intensity and slow down, intensity and slow down. It gave the pacing a kind of limp along action that I'm not entirely pleased with but was okay enough. However, the slow down isn't boring or unnecessary, either. Both storylines reveal the characters and weave together well. Towards the end, both narratives storm into action which Warner has a good knack of writing. There's a lot of imagination in this and it's fun to read.
My only gripe is that everything was fleshed out so well through the majority of the book and then a few things were resolved very quickly (too quickly?) in the last couple of chapters. I would have liked to have seen those elements get drawn out more or perhaps had the supporting characters show deeper ambivalence.
My personal preference lies in the first book because I'd never read anything like it. This second book, however, gives us richer depth into both main characters and is written well.
I definitely would not recommend reading this as a standalone book. If you haven't read the first installment turn yourself around and read it. It'll give you the backstory of the friendship, desperation, darkness, characters, allegiances, and folklore that the second book is built upon.
Overall, it's a good continuation of the series. I'm excited to read where the adventure takes us in the third book.
Want to read
February 5, 2019I finally have this book and I am so excited. The first one was awesome, I hope this one's too.
May 28, 2019
A Wonderful continuation of Ice Massacre! I've fallen in love with these characters! I mean I hate Dani but I love her characterization and understand where she is coming from even when I want to punch her. Lysi, Meela, Annith, Tanuu, I love them so much! It made me think on several things while reading. Themes of family, friendship, loyalty, fighting for what you believe in. Stuff I didn't see coming. So many feels, audible squeaks (I squeak when a book gives me a lot of feels...it's a compliment), tears. That ending is GLORIOUS and I can't wait to read the last book!! Also...GAY (f/f). MERMAIDS. Yes please!
December 31, 2016
I'm perplexed about why more book lovers are not reading the Mermaids of Eriana Kwai series. It's so fun! Okay, maybe I kind of get it. Some people are into mermaid stories; some aren’t. I honestly have no preference either way. I just really love this series. It's so much more than mermaids.
Here's the setup: human inhabitants of the island of Eriana Kwai are mortal enemies with merpeople/sea demons who are starving out the islanders and killing fisherman under the leadership of an evil, power-hungry mer-king. In book one, we get to know human Meela, who forms a strong bond of friendship with mermaid Lysi when they're both young girls. Then Meela and Lysi grow up to become warriors and have to do battle with each other. In book #2, Ice Crypt, amid lots of exciting action and unique storytelling, we get to know Lysi better and witness what appears to be a blossoming f/f love affair between Meela and Lysi.
Some things that make Ice Crypt so good: the best kind of camaraderie between friends (both Meela’s and Lysi’s), heroes to care about, villains who are super fun to root against, an exciting climax, surprising plot twists, and great worldbuilding--especially the merpeople’s undersea existence. It's interesting how Lysi, being a mermaid, can pick up on auras and emotions of nearby sea animals and merpeople. For example: “I’d always loved dolphins. They were the only animals whose auras showed as wide a range of emotions as a mermaid’s.”
Lysi’s merman comrade in arms Spio is the most endearing kind of goofball, like when he says to Lysi: “She reminds me of what you would look like if you were ten years older and had dark hair. And darker skin. And bigger—”
[Lysi interrupts to say] “So she looks nothing like me.”
“Not really.”
In Ice Crypt, Meela and her human friends experience fascinating adventures on the island, but Lysi the mermaid steals the show. Lysi is a brave, stubborn warrior with a kind heart and lots of attitude, like this observation she makes about a pompous merman who keeps following her around (even though she only has eyes for Meela):
“This guy projected so much confidence that I had the urge to swat it away. . .”
For anyone who enjoys YA fantasy/paranormal, I highly recommend this series.
Here's the setup: human inhabitants of the island of Eriana Kwai are mortal enemies with merpeople/sea demons who are starving out the islanders and killing fisherman under the leadership of an evil, power-hungry mer-king. In book one, we get to know human Meela, who forms a strong bond of friendship with mermaid Lysi when they're both young girls. Then Meela and Lysi grow up to become warriors and have to do battle with each other. In book #2, Ice Crypt, amid lots of exciting action and unique storytelling, we get to know Lysi better and witness what appears to be a blossoming f/f love affair between Meela and Lysi.
Some things that make Ice Crypt so good: the best kind of camaraderie between friends (both Meela’s and Lysi’s), heroes to care about, villains who are super fun to root against, an exciting climax, surprising plot twists, and great worldbuilding--especially the merpeople’s undersea existence. It's interesting how Lysi, being a mermaid, can pick up on auras and emotions of nearby sea animals and merpeople. For example: “I’d always loved dolphins. They were the only animals whose auras showed as wide a range of emotions as a mermaid’s.”
Lysi’s merman comrade in arms Spio is the most endearing kind of goofball, like when he says to Lysi: “She reminds me of what you would look like if you were ten years older and had dark hair. And darker skin. And bigger—”
[Lysi interrupts to say] “So she looks nothing like me.”
“Not really.”
In Ice Crypt, Meela and her human friends experience fascinating adventures on the island, but Lysi the mermaid steals the show. Lysi is a brave, stubborn warrior with a kind heart and lots of attitude, like this observation she makes about a pompous merman who keeps following her around (even though she only has eyes for Meela):
“This guy projected so much confidence that I had the urge to swat it away. . .”
For anyone who enjoys YA fantasy/paranormal, I highly recommend this series.
September 26, 2017
in this house we love gay mermaids
March 15, 2021
The second in the trilogy about mermaids and humans feuding, this time with two point of views. Both Lysi & Meela have parts of their story told. If I recall correctly, the book alternates chapters.
With both point of views, the undersea world - and their conflicts; and the above sea world, and their conflicts, are explored.
heh, I've had about 20 to 30 ideas pop in and out of my brain as to what I could write here.
Well, let's see. Book goes more in depth as to the nature of both the human and merpeople. The two main characters continue to spend most of the story apart from each other. Good characterization. Good story. Still no clue where this island is supposed to be located.
Rating: 4.35
March 15 2021
With both point of views, the undersea world - and their conflicts; and the above sea world, and their conflicts, are explored.
heh, I've had about 20 to 30 ideas pop in and out of my brain as to what I could write here.
Well, let's see. Book goes more in depth as to the nature of both the human and merpeople. The two main characters continue to spend most of the story apart from each other. Good characterization. Good story. Still no clue where this island is supposed to be located.
Rating: 4.35
March 15 2021
December 22, 2018
This book was frustrating for me.
I didn't like the alternated povs. I didn't like the ending either.
I really wanted this to be a romance between a human and a mermaid and that the two would remain in this state even within a relationship.
That was disappointing.
And for these selfish and personal reasons, I can't force myself to give a greater note than this
I didn't like the alternated povs. I didn't like the ending either.
I really wanted this to be a romance between a human and a mermaid and that the two would remain in this state even within a relationship.
That was disappointing.
And for these selfish and personal reasons, I can't force myself to give a greater note than this
May 23, 2018
An amazing sequel
💚🌊💚🌊💚🌊💚
I don't understand why this series is so underrated
rtc, maybe?
💚🌊💚🌊💚🌊💚
I don't understand why this series is so underrated
rtc, maybe?
March 19, 2018
In the beginning I wasn’t exactly sure if I’d like it as much as the first part – but then it drew me in and I ended up reading through the nights once again.
What comes to my mind the most when I think about the book is the word ‘exciting’. It’s fast paced, there are mysteries and heroic deeds and shocking revelations all around.
I loved that we got two perspectives in this part. I liked to finally get more backstory and information on Lysi and to see how the society under the sea works. It’s written very different than I imagined, but pretty thorough and interesting.
It was hard though, that Chapters always ended on a very high point, on a cliffhanger or a revelation or an otherwise exciting note – only for the perspective to change in the next one and having to read that through to see what happens in this plotline two chapters later.
Both plots were great and exciting in their own ways, but them running completely parallel and switching with ever chapter wasn’t the best way to organize them at some places of the story.
It did keep me from putting the book down, I give it that. Every time I ended one chapter with something drastic happening at the end and I just wanted to know what happens after that to be able to stop reading for the day, I had to read at least two more chapters to find out.
Nice tactic – but sometimes you gotta sleep, you know?
I can’t wait to start book three.
What comes to my mind the most when I think about the book is the word ‘exciting’. It’s fast paced, there are mysteries and heroic deeds and shocking revelations all around.
I loved that we got two perspectives in this part. I liked to finally get more backstory and information on Lysi and to see how the society under the sea works. It’s written very different than I imagined, but pretty thorough and interesting.
It was hard though, that Chapters always ended on a very high point, on a cliffhanger or a revelation or an otherwise exciting note – only for the perspective to change in the next one and having to read that through to see what happens in this plotline two chapters later.
Both plots were great and exciting in their own ways, but them running completely parallel and switching with ever chapter wasn’t the best way to organize them at some places of the story.
It did keep me from putting the book down, I give it that. Every time I ended one chapter with something drastic happening at the end and I just wanted to know what happens after that to be able to stop reading for the day, I had to read at least two more chapters to find out.
Nice tactic – but sometimes you gotta sleep, you know?
I can’t wait to start book three.
August 29, 2019
4.5 stars
February 24, 2017
I'm learning a lot about mermaid/merman's here. And I'm interested to read more about them. I hope many will write something like this. I know we're used to read about dragons, witches, werewolves and vampires and I rarely see about mermaids.
A lot of great secondary characters which I'm beginning to love bout from Mee and Lysi's side.
I also like Blacktail and Tanuu's banters and I think they're cute together. I hope they're still on book 3.
I also like the nerdy Spio. I hope he can also find someone for him.
Be prepared to be pissed off with Dani and her father. I'm already annoyed with her on book 1. It just reached maximum level here on book 2. How could she get away with everything?!
Again, Don't expect too much about romance here since they only see each other at the last few pages of the book.
But, I'm happy with the ending. Happy hearts! ❤
I only hope they can spend more time together in Book 3.
4.5
A lot of great secondary characters which I'm beginning to love bout from Mee and Lysi's side.
I also like Blacktail and Tanuu's banters and I think they're cute together. I hope they're still on book 3.
I also like the nerdy Spio. I hope he can also find someone for him.
Be prepared to be pissed off with Dani and her father. I'm already annoyed with her on book 1. It just reached maximum level here on book 2. How could she get away with everything?!
Again, Don't expect too much about romance here since they only see each other at the last few pages of the book.
But, I'm happy with the ending. Happy hearts! ❤
I only hope they can spend more time together in Book 3.
4.5
July 26, 2020
Pride Motnth 2020, #5
Besides som tropes (YOU'RE NOT LIKE OTHER MERMAIDS? REALLY?) and some plot conveniences, I liked this a lot. It's a just a lot of fun!
I mean... close frienships, lesbian mermaids, a little of mystery and mythology, what else could you possibly want for a good time?
Besides som tropes (YOU'RE NOT LIKE OTHER MERMAIDS? REALLY?) and some plot conveniences, I liked this a lot. It's a just a lot of fun!
I mean... close frienships, lesbian mermaids, a little of mystery and mythology, what else could you possibly want for a good time?
July 5, 2017
After enjoying the first book in this series Ice Massacre I was really excited to read and review the sequel Ice Crypt. With well written characters and an entertaining plot it was easy to fall into this world again. The character developpement and world building was on point. When I was about half way it got intense. And I cant forget that glorious ending.
Meela and a mermaid named Lysi fall in love despite being raised to hate and kill each other. Once Meela comes back from her massacre, where she and 19 other girls were sent out to kill as many mermaids as possible, shes determined to find the one thing that might stop the killing.
With only a legend to go on and a bargain with the King, Meela needs to find the Host in order to stop the massacres and save Lysi. Meanwhile, Lysi is sent to the war front where the King expects her to die, but instead she ends up joining a group of rebels who want to stop the Tyrant King from destroying everything.
The mermaid King Adaro wasnt the only protagonist in this story. I just hated Dani and her father (but not in a bad way). I thought the conflict added some much needed tension in Meelas story line. Power hungry and empty of any compassion they made for some compelling protagonists.
I wanted Meela to find the Host and to get rid of the King but I was most invested in getting Lysi and Meela back together. I became so attached to most of the characters I couldnt help but root for them. Lysis plot line captivated me more then Meelas but they both added something important to the story.
My favorite part was getting Lysis point of view, especially the under water perspective. It was so fascinating and unique to learn about the mermaids environment and their culture. Its something I really loved in the first book and we get so much more of it in this sequel. I just couldnt wait to read the chapters about Lysi. Para la Reina! Intense feels. Need more now!
Meela and a mermaid named Lysi fall in love despite being raised to hate and kill each other. Once Meela comes back from her massacre, where she and 19 other girls were sent out to kill as many mermaids as possible, shes determined to find the one thing that might stop the killing.
With only a legend to go on and a bargain with the King, Meela needs to find the Host in order to stop the massacres and save Lysi. Meanwhile, Lysi is sent to the war front where the King expects her to die, but instead she ends up joining a group of rebels who want to stop the Tyrant King from destroying everything.
The mermaid King Adaro wasnt the only protagonist in this story. I just hated Dani and her father (but not in a bad way). I thought the conflict added some much needed tension in Meelas story line. Power hungry and empty of any compassion they made for some compelling protagonists.
I wanted Meela to find the Host and to get rid of the King but I was most invested in getting Lysi and Meela back together. I became so attached to most of the characters I couldnt help but root for them. Lysis plot line captivated me more then Meelas but they both added something important to the story.
My favorite part was getting Lysis point of view, especially the under water perspective. It was so fascinating and unique to learn about the mermaids environment and their culture. Its something I really loved in the first book and we get so much more of it in this sequel. I just couldnt wait to read the chapters about Lysi. Para la Reina! Intense feels. Need more now!
July 20, 2016
I was given a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. I have to say that having fallen in love with the first one, the second one had to be its equal or even better to get to be so great as the first. It did.
In ICE CRYPT we follow the adventures of Meela and Lysi. The first book followed Meela's POW, whereas this one is shared between the two girls. At earth, Meela is investivating and gathering clues in order to awaken the Host that Adaro wants in exchange of Lysi's live and to stop atacking Meela's people. On the sea, Lysi manages to escape her impresionament only to be captured and deployed to fight against mermen, which soon reveals something: some of them want Adaro killed. And Lysi is way in with their plot to do so.
I found very enganging the fact that we have like these two paralel stories complimenting each other, and leaving us with this cliffhangers as the narrative changed between the girls. The narration is divine, and the plot moves intelligently forward, gaining speed and momentum as it goes. And then... bam! You have finished the book and want more! Of course you do! The story keeps delivering great narrative, originality and amazingly well rounded characters.
I also love the facts it brings up: fightings over species because of the greed of some people, interspecies friendship and love, love befween people from the same sex, struggles with the fact of how best to say you love someone of your sex... And all of this wrapped perfectly in an amazing lecture. So, two questions:
- What are you waiting for? Go get it! Enter this original rollercoaster story!!!
- When is the third one coming???
In ICE CRYPT we follow the adventures of Meela and Lysi. The first book followed Meela's POW, whereas this one is shared between the two girls. At earth, Meela is investivating and gathering clues in order to awaken the Host that Adaro wants in exchange of Lysi's live and to stop atacking Meela's people. On the sea, Lysi manages to escape her impresionament only to be captured and deployed to fight against mermen, which soon reveals something: some of them want Adaro killed. And Lysi is way in with their plot to do so.
I found very enganging the fact that we have like these two paralel stories complimenting each other, and leaving us with this cliffhangers as the narrative changed between the girls. The narration is divine, and the plot moves intelligently forward, gaining speed and momentum as it goes. And then... bam! You have finished the book and want more! Of course you do! The story keeps delivering great narrative, originality and amazingly well rounded characters.
I also love the facts it brings up: fightings over species because of the greed of some people, interspecies friendship and love, love befween people from the same sex, struggles with the fact of how best to say you love someone of your sex... And all of this wrapped perfectly in an amazing lecture. So, two questions:
- What are you waiting for? Go get it! Enter this original rollercoaster story!!!
- When is the third one coming???
June 9, 2017
I loved the first book! This follow up was... Okey. Story went from interesting, to the incredibly typical YA syndrome. Which means its an alright read, but as a standalone it would never do. I have to say the ending was satisfying enough, so the reader won't feel like they are left hanging. It could've even been the last book, and I'd be alright with that.
First off, what I liked, was reading about Lysi, its pretty good and entertaining, on the other hand... The story is split every other chapter between Lysi's and Meela's pov and it feels fractured, even more so towards the end when it switched so rapidly between them I became dizzy. There is less action compared to the previous, its not as grueling or mysterious and has a repetitive plot that grew tedious. Although it isn't as mysterious as the previous, you do get to see Lysi's world, which is a very nice change. Story has some twists, but they're all wayyy too predictable. Maybe the foreshadowing was too heavily laid on?
I was hoping for some fan-service in this second book, like at least seeing the the two protagonists together would be nice, but nope, never together. Their relationship doesn't even progress, not in any genuine way, it just ends up happening. A huge disappointment. In the end I would even say I'm giving this book a little bit too much credit because I liked the first book so much. On another note; I'm glad this book exists, just happy to see Meela and Lysi again. If you read the first, this won't be the same, but you may still enjoy it.
Since I'm a slave to finishing series I will probably buy the third, if there ever is one - "that's how they get ya".
First off, what I liked, was reading about Lysi, its pretty good and entertaining, on the other hand... The story is split every other chapter between Lysi's and Meela's pov and it feels fractured, even more so towards the end when it switched so rapidly between them I became dizzy. There is less action compared to the previous, its not as grueling or mysterious and has a repetitive plot that grew tedious. Although it isn't as mysterious as the previous, you do get to see Lysi's world, which is a very nice change. Story has some twists, but they're all wayyy too predictable. Maybe the foreshadowing was too heavily laid on?
I was hoping for some fan-service in this second book, like at least seeing the the two protagonists together would be nice, but nope, never together. Their relationship doesn't even progress, not in any genuine way, it just ends up happening. A huge disappointment. In the end I would even say I'm giving this book a little bit too much credit because I liked the first book so much. On another note; I'm glad this book exists, just happy to see Meela and Lysi again. If you read the first, this won't be the same, but you may still enjoy it.
Since I'm a slave to finishing series I will probably buy the third, if there ever is one - "that's how they get ya".
August 26, 2017
Actual rating 4.5 stars
This review was originally posted at https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/
I received an e-ARC of this book from Rogue Cannon Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Critically
Plot – 4 out of 5 stars
The plot of this book is action packed and full of precious folklore. It’s filled with violence, war and death. It had it’s slow moments and while there was action, it wasn’t as packed as the first book. There were a lot of plot twists that kept me on my toes and there was a bit more romance which I enjoyed it. The ending was open and I can’t wait to see what the last book brings.
Writing Style – 4 out of 5 stars
The writing still worked really well with the story. It’s detailed and descriptive, almost to the point of being graphic, specially when depicting violent scenes which I must say was really interesting. It’s imaginative and steady paced. There’s various POVs in this one which was entertaining but it could get lengthy at times.
Characters – 4 out of 5 stars
I’m slowly but surely falling in love with the characters in this series. Meela is an amazing protagonist. She’s determined and yet vulnerable. None of the characters are the same after their first Masscre and you can really tell how it has affected Meela as she narrates her story. She’s tortured and torn. She’s honest and is trying to do everything in her power to stop the war that is terrorizing her island. In this book we also get another POV which I really enjoyed. We get a closer look at the mermaid side of the war, their strategies, their armies and their different cultures. The latter was something I wasn’t expecting. I love that they weren’t all from one group and there was a lot more going on under the sea than we were privy to until this point. The side characters are also pretty great. There’s quite a few antagonists so it never felt like everyone was against just one person. And the characters we get to see more up close are complex, interesting and sometimes even sweet, specially in their relationships with each other.
Emotionally
This review was originally posted at https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/
I received an e-ARC of this book from Rogue Cannon Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Critically
Plot – 4 out of 5 stars
The plot of this book is action packed and full of precious folklore. It’s filled with violence, war and death. It had it’s slow moments and while there was action, it wasn’t as packed as the first book. There were a lot of plot twists that kept me on my toes and there was a bit more romance which I enjoyed it. The ending was open and I can’t wait to see what the last book brings.
Writing Style – 4 out of 5 stars
The writing still worked really well with the story. It’s detailed and descriptive, almost to the point of being graphic, specially when depicting violent scenes which I must say was really interesting. It’s imaginative and steady paced. There’s various POVs in this one which was entertaining but it could get lengthy at times.
Characters – 4 out of 5 stars
I’m slowly but surely falling in love with the characters in this series. Meela is an amazing protagonist. She’s determined and yet vulnerable. None of the characters are the same after their first Masscre and you can really tell how it has affected Meela as she narrates her story. She’s tortured and torn. She’s honest and is trying to do everything in her power to stop the war that is terrorizing her island. In this book we also get another POV which I really enjoyed. We get a closer look at the mermaid side of the war, their strategies, their armies and their different cultures. The latter was something I wasn’t expecting. I love that they weren’t all from one group and there was a lot more going on under the sea than we were privy to until this point. The side characters are also pretty great. There’s quite a few antagonists so it never felt like everyone was against just one person. And the characters we get to see more up close are complex, interesting and sometimes even sweet, specially in their relationships with each other.
Emotionally
June 25, 2019
Im DEAD... The Ice Crypt features a shift in point of view where we go between Meela and Lysi. While this book is still action-packed, it is less than what was in the first book. The relation between plot and characters were amazing and don’t even get me started on the plot twists! This was an incredibly fast and fun read.
“Maybe I couldn’t help everyone survive, but I could, at least, save this one life.”
Throughput the first half of the book, things moved slowly and the plot was fleshed out perfectly. In the second half, everything moves quicker, but I think it was done in a way where the storyline didn’t feel rushed. The ending was bittersweet for me and I just love Lysi and Meela so much 😭
“My people had never been willing to believe mermaids had minds like ours. But they did. Mermaids fought like humans, laughed like humans, and loved like humans.”
“Maybe I couldn’t help everyone survive, but I could, at least, save this one life.”
Throughput the first half of the book, things moved slowly and the plot was fleshed out perfectly. In the second half, everything moves quicker, but I think it was done in a way where the storyline didn’t feel rushed. The ending was bittersweet for me and I just love Lysi and Meela so much 😭
“My people had never been willing to believe mermaids had minds like ours. But they did. Mermaids fought like humans, laughed like humans, and loved like humans.”
July 28, 2016
Great read!
Hands down this is one of the best book I have read all year. I truly hope this is not the last book in the series because there is just too much work for Meela and Lysi to do. The characters really shined in this series. The author went all out to expose the different characters range of emotions. Read the series. It is worth it. Please make a book 3!!!
Hands down this is one of the best book I have read all year. I truly hope this is not the last book in the series because there is just too much work for Meela and Lysi to do. The characters really shined in this series. The author went all out to expose the different characters range of emotions. Read the series. It is worth it. Please make a book 3!!!
April 11, 2022
AHHHHH mermaids and girls in love and friendship and I love these fucking books so much!!!
July 9, 2016
Have you ever read a book or watched a movie or played a video game and thought to yourself, 'I could stay in this world forever?' Upon finishing Ice Massacre by Tiana Warner, that is exactly how I felt with the world she had created. The story was gripping, the characters felt real, and despite being a male and probably one to be lured to my death by the mermaids, I wanted to be on that ship with those girls battling those sea demons for Eriana Kwai! Ice Crypt takes all the pros from Ice Massacre and tells an even more amazing story, this time with not only Meela’s point-of-view, but with Lysi’s as well.
Ice Crypt is a return to Tiana Warner’s wonderfully crafted world. It’s been two weeks since the Massacre from the first book and Meela has been ordered by King Adaro, the king of the merpeople, to find the Host of Eriana and in return he will give her Lysi. Unfortunately, Meela doesn’t know where or what this host even is. With the help of a few of her friends, Meela becomes wrapped up in a detective story wherein she must uncover clues as to the location of the Host of Eriana. It’s thrilling and gripping and with each passing chapter you find yourself wanting to know more about Meela, her people, her island, and all of the history that comes with it.
Along with Meela’s story, now we get a look into Lysi’s life and what it’s like to be a mermaid. For as excited as I was to return to this world--to return to Meela--Lysi’s point-of-view and her story was what intrigued me most. Lysi’s story starts where it ended in Ice Massacre. King Adaro has her locked away as per his agreement with Meela to find the Host of Eriana. However, Lysi is feisty, fierce, and determined and no one is going to hold her from getting back to Meela, or so she thinks. Being the king of the merpeople, King Adaro has many loyal subjects all throughout the Pacific, but when Lysi is taken to the South Pacific army, she runs into an old friend, Spio, and discovers a treacherous plot that if gone wrong could get her killed.
Reading Lysi’s chapters and seeing Warner’s exquisite attention to detail and the care she put into making her mermaid come to life had me thinking more than just once that perhaps if mermaids truly are real, then maybe Tiana Warner is in fact one of them. Everything about Lysi made sense to me: the way she moved in the water, the way she interacted with other merpeople and other sea creatures, her struggles and her emotions, it just all felt natural which is a testament to Warner’s incredible expertise at writing.
The supporting characters are also a treat! It's nice to have Annith back along with Blacktail and Tanuu and while I wasn't expecting to like Tanuu all that much, he grew on me. Some new supporting characters include Spio, Coho, Nobeard, Pontus, and Junior--all friends of Lysi. They add more humor to the story which I'll be getting to momentarily, but more importantly they all feel real. The camaraderie between Meela, Annith, Blacktail, and Tanuu and Lysi, Spio, Coho, Nobeard, Pontus, and Junior is a real treat and adds more scope to the overall story.
Something Warner adds to Ice Crypt that I felt I missed from Ice Massacre is the humor. This story isn’t a comedy by any means, but when you have a story as dark and as atmospheric as Ice Massacre it’s nice to balance it with a bit of humor every once in a while and Ice Crypt does just that! There are several lines all throughout the book that had me laughing at just right times, especially a little scene involving Tanuu, Meela, and getting Meela out of her pants. Warner knows how to use her characters to tap into your emotions and she knows when to make you smile, laugh, when to feel upset, when to feel anger, and she does it spectacularly.
Ice Crypt will reel you in from the start of chapter one and have you enjoying every moment until the end. Warner does a beautiful job of continuing her story with the characters you loved from the first book while also adding in new characters to have you fall in love with as well. With action, adventure, romance, some humor, and a few twists along the way, Ice Crypt has me excited and looking forward to the third book in the Mermaids of Eriana Kwai series.
The strongest of recommends!
Para la reina!
Ice Crypt is a return to Tiana Warner’s wonderfully crafted world. It’s been two weeks since the Massacre from the first book and Meela has been ordered by King Adaro, the king of the merpeople, to find the Host of Eriana and in return he will give her Lysi. Unfortunately, Meela doesn’t know where or what this host even is. With the help of a few of her friends, Meela becomes wrapped up in a detective story wherein she must uncover clues as to the location of the Host of Eriana. It’s thrilling and gripping and with each passing chapter you find yourself wanting to know more about Meela, her people, her island, and all of the history that comes with it.
Along with Meela’s story, now we get a look into Lysi’s life and what it’s like to be a mermaid. For as excited as I was to return to this world--to return to Meela--Lysi’s point-of-view and her story was what intrigued me most. Lysi’s story starts where it ended in Ice Massacre. King Adaro has her locked away as per his agreement with Meela to find the Host of Eriana. However, Lysi is feisty, fierce, and determined and no one is going to hold her from getting back to Meela, or so she thinks. Being the king of the merpeople, King Adaro has many loyal subjects all throughout the Pacific, but when Lysi is taken to the South Pacific army, she runs into an old friend, Spio, and discovers a treacherous plot that if gone wrong could get her killed.
Reading Lysi’s chapters and seeing Warner’s exquisite attention to detail and the care she put into making her mermaid come to life had me thinking more than just once that perhaps if mermaids truly are real, then maybe Tiana Warner is in fact one of them. Everything about Lysi made sense to me: the way she moved in the water, the way she interacted with other merpeople and other sea creatures, her struggles and her emotions, it just all felt natural which is a testament to Warner’s incredible expertise at writing.
The supporting characters are also a treat! It's nice to have Annith back along with Blacktail and Tanuu and while I wasn't expecting to like Tanuu all that much, he grew on me. Some new supporting characters include Spio, Coho, Nobeard, Pontus, and Junior--all friends of Lysi. They add more humor to the story which I'll be getting to momentarily, but more importantly they all feel real. The camaraderie between Meela, Annith, Blacktail, and Tanuu and Lysi, Spio, Coho, Nobeard, Pontus, and Junior is a real treat and adds more scope to the overall story.
Something Warner adds to Ice Crypt that I felt I missed from Ice Massacre is the humor. This story isn’t a comedy by any means, but when you have a story as dark and as atmospheric as Ice Massacre it’s nice to balance it with a bit of humor every once in a while and Ice Crypt does just that! There are several lines all throughout the book that had me laughing at just right times, especially a little scene involving Tanuu, Meela, and getting Meela out of her pants. Warner knows how to use her characters to tap into your emotions and she knows when to make you smile, laugh, when to feel upset, when to feel anger, and she does it spectacularly.
Ice Crypt will reel you in from the start of chapter one and have you enjoying every moment until the end. Warner does a beautiful job of continuing her story with the characters you loved from the first book while also adding in new characters to have you fall in love with as well. With action, adventure, romance, some humor, and a few twists along the way, Ice Crypt has me excited and looking forward to the third book in the Mermaids of Eriana Kwai series.
The strongest of recommends!
Para la reina!
October 8, 2019
In that moment, everything in my life came together. Everything I’d ever felt made sense, like the world had opened before me. Lysi was my childhood, my teenage years, and now my future.
look this isn't the best book ever written and there are moments that don't really make sense but i'm going to give it five stars because i loved it so much and there is nothing you can do to stop me
edit lowered this to a 4 because i've been sitting on it and this felt more right. still love this book <3
look this isn't the best book ever written and there are moments that don't really make sense but i'm going to give it five stars because i loved it so much and there is nothing you can do to stop me
edit lowered this to a 4 because i've been sitting on it and this felt more right. still love this book <3
July 27, 2016
This book was an incredible sequel to Warner's first book Ice Massacre. You really get deeper into who Lysi and Meela are as characters as well as both of their unique worlds. I was sucked in from page one and kept going with action and plot twists! I am so happy to be back in this universe that Warner has created and hope this series keeps going!
May 27, 2022
I enjoyed this one even more than part one. Probably because this time we get to see the story from both our protagonists' points of view. Also, I feel I understand more about what's happening (aka worldbuilding).
Now on to part three.
Now on to part three.
September 8, 2016
What a fantastic sequel to Ice Crypt! I was so happy to have Lysi's point of view and getting to see the ocean (and mermaid life) through her eyes. There's an ancient mystery, battles, an incredibly scary monster, and the cutest romance. Total win!
March 7, 2020
I really enjoyed this second installment, maybe not as much as the first but can you blame me? Lysi and Meeks spent the entire book apart- they deserve better!
October 16, 2018
Just as with the first book, the feeling I was left with as I finished this book is most accurately described as: OHMYGOOOOOOOD.
I LOVE this book, and this series, with my whole heart. For the most part of the book I told myself I’d give it a 4 because while I really love it a lot - especially the fact that Lys now gets a POV and narrates every other chapter! - there were more little flaws than in the first book, but now that I’ve finished it I honestly can’t remember any issues other than some kind of predictable plot twists but isn’t that actually good sometimes? It’s so satisfying being right about a plot twist after all. Okay, I was also a little underwhelmed because it was weird how the mermaid/human romance kind of stood in for queerness (”No one would love a girl who loved a mermaid”) but since Meela is also queer it just feels a little weird? Everyone kept insisting she get a boyfriend but I feel like the effect on Meela of that compulsory heterosexuality was underplayed and replaced by mermaid/human tensions which was a shame because later in the book we do find out that homophobia is indeed alive and well, so realistically Meela should’ve been just as worried or at least more worried about that. At the same time, it’s nice that she doesn’t really struggle too much with it, at least explicitly, and doesn’t seem to feel shame for her sexuality. And anyway I was so, so happy and emotional reading the last couple of pages that I just can’t give it any less than 5 stars despite everything. I was crying and giggling with delight every other page towards the end there and also throughout the book. I would lay down my life for Meela and Lys, I really would.
Maybe I’ll sober up and change it when I’m not so overcome with emotion but no matter what small things I’d change about the book, I still adore it so much and I wish all sapphic girls out there could read it because it’s a beautiful portrayal of love, friendship, trauma and healing, and fighting for what you believe in, with some mermaid politics, rebellions, merman fuckboys, treasure hunts, overcoming compulsory heterosexuality and other fun things thrown into the mix. And apparently mermaid society has underwater borders and a written language? Who knew!
I LOVE this book, and this series, with my whole heart. For the most part of the book I told myself I’d give it a 4 because while I really love it a lot - especially the fact that Lys now gets a POV and narrates every other chapter! - there were more little flaws than in the first book, but now that I’ve finished it I honestly can’t remember any issues other than some kind of predictable plot twists but isn’t that actually good sometimes? It’s so satisfying being right about a plot twist after all. Okay, I was also a little underwhelmed because it was weird how the mermaid/human romance kind of stood in for queerness (”No one would love a girl who loved a mermaid”) but since Meela is also queer it just feels a little weird? Everyone kept insisting she get a boyfriend but I feel like the effect on Meela of that compulsory heterosexuality was underplayed and replaced by mermaid/human tensions which was a shame because later in the book we do find out that homophobia is indeed alive and well, so realistically Meela should’ve been just as worried or at least more worried about that. At the same time, it’s nice that she doesn’t really struggle too much with it, at least explicitly, and doesn’t seem to feel shame for her sexuality. And anyway I was so, so happy and emotional reading the last couple of pages that I just can’t give it any less than 5 stars despite everything. I was crying and giggling with delight every other page towards the end there and also throughout the book. I would lay down my life for Meela and Lys, I really would.
Maybe I’ll sober up and change it when I’m not so overcome with emotion but no matter what small things I’d change about the book, I still adore it so much and I wish all sapphic girls out there could read it because it’s a beautiful portrayal of love, friendship, trauma and healing, and fighting for what you believe in, with some mermaid politics, rebellions, merman fuckboys, treasure hunts, overcoming compulsory heterosexuality and other fun things thrown into the mix. And apparently mermaid society has underwater borders and a written language? Who knew!
February 13, 2018
This book is definitely very different to the first book, but in some ways I almost liked it better? Aside from a lull in the middle of the book when both Lysi and Meela came up against some dead ends in their respective quests, the pacing was a lot sharper in this book, especially in the final chapters, which are a WILD RIDE. I did think a lot of the story got wrapped up too easily, but all in all this series is great fun, and a really lovely wlw romance!
October 4, 2018
A pretty good sequel to the first book. I liked how this one alternated POV between Meela and Lysi so we got a lot more information about how the mermaid society works. Also we got a bit more information about how things work on the island and their relation to the mainline as well [although I'm still kind of confused why they don't just like ...use helicopters and stuff? I guess because that would be too easy lol]. It's a pretty light read but I'm a sucker for a good F/F mermaid romance so I'm looking forward to seeing how it all plays out in the last book.
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