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Iloray: A Mermaid Story
The sea keeps secrets. Gryshen’s never belonged. She’s always been . . . odd. And she’s never wanted her role as chieftain’s daughter. There are too many expectations. She’s expected to lead a pod of iloray who don’t seem to trust her. To be the responsible sibling, while her charming kid brother jokes, hunts, and woos. To marry her father’s unbearably dependable aide, Bravis. Life in the water has always moved too fast. And now it’s speeding up.
Gryshen’s beloved father is dying, leaving her to take the throne and guard her pod’s sacred pearl, a magical gem that gives life to all iloray. When she meets the remarkable Coss, son of the most ruthless chieftain in Oceas, she finally finds a way out. But her dreams come undone as her father’s health collapses, the sacred pearl goes missing, and an ancient test reveals just how much of a stranger she is.
Now, Gryshen—who’s never led anything—must lead warriors from pods around the sea in a battle to save their kind. Will she discover what she is along the way?
The sea is full of secrets, and it’s time for them to surface.
Gryshen’s beloved father is dying, leaving her to take the throne and guard her pod’s sacred pearl, a magical gem that gives life to all iloray. When she meets the remarkable Coss, son of the most ruthless chieftain in Oceas, she finally finds a way out. But her dreams come undone as her father’s health collapses, the sacred pearl goes missing, and an ancient test reveals just how much of a stranger she is.
Now, Gryshen—who’s never led anything—must lead warriors from pods around the sea in a battle to save their kind. Will she discover what she is along the way?
The sea is full of secrets, and it’s time for them to surface.
360 pages, Paperback
First published December 14, 2017
About the author
Mary Jane Capps
3 books20 followersMary Jane Capps writes young adult novels about witches, mermaids,
and ghosts-or some combination of the three.
She likes to keep things spooky, magical, and reasonably upbeat.
Mary Jane lives in Fort Mill, South Carolina with her husband and daughter,
down the road from her parents, in a house that is probably haunted.
Connect on Instagram @maryjanecapps
Sign up for book info and fun giveaways at www.maryjanecapps.com
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 6, 2018
"The sea keeps secrets.
Gryshen’s never belonged. She’s always been . . . odd. And she’s never wanted her role as chieftain’s daughter."
I recieved Kindle edition of Iloray: A Mermaid Story for honest review. Thank you Mary Jane Capps for sending me the copy!
I was pleasently surpirsed when I discovered that Iloray won`t be a usual fairy tale retold but it will be a very unique magical read. I love the way how author describes the secret world od Ilorays, deep in the sea. Her language is beautiful, poetic and fresh. Book cover is simple but enchanted.
Lets talk about the book itself!
Sea can be calm but also can be very dangerous place where mermaids or Ilorays live a infinite years...centuries...times. If you are chieftain’s daughter, it is life more complicated.
Gryshen is very different from others. She feels that. Yes, it is true that she is chieftain’s daughter but Gryshen never wanted to be a leader. Unfortunately things drastically changed when her father became more and more ill and here it is an important meeting with very barbaric chieftain, who brought Coss with him. Gryshen with Coss discovered first love, betrayal and secrets of pearl. Broken heart is not only thing that she must to deal with. Here is a threat of war, threat of destroying the place they know and love. Bravis is one of these, who will followed her to the end of the world and I am glad that he become more visible. Some parts confused me: for example, an ancient test, which tell you what you will become (what is your function). These scenes I read a few times before I understand the whole point.
Whatever, I would be happy if we will get another stories about Ilorays because here are many things still unspoken and I want to see the main characters again. I know, I am a demending reader. ;) I will not spoil you but I hope you will enjoy in this special mermaid tale.
I highly recommend it! :)
Gryshen’s never belonged. She’s always been . . . odd. And she’s never wanted her role as chieftain’s daughter."
I recieved Kindle edition of Iloray: A Mermaid Story for honest review. Thank you Mary Jane Capps for sending me the copy!
I was pleasently surpirsed when I discovered that Iloray won`t be a usual fairy tale retold but it will be a very unique magical read. I love the way how author describes the secret world od Ilorays, deep in the sea. Her language is beautiful, poetic and fresh. Book cover is simple but enchanted.
Lets talk about the book itself!
Sea can be calm but also can be very dangerous place where mermaids or Ilorays live a infinite years...centuries...times. If you are chieftain’s daughter, it is life more complicated.
Gryshen is very different from others. She feels that. Yes, it is true that she is chieftain’s daughter but Gryshen never wanted to be a leader. Unfortunately things drastically changed when her father became more and more ill and here it is an important meeting with very barbaric chieftain, who brought Coss with him. Gryshen with Coss discovered first love, betrayal and secrets of pearl. Broken heart is not only thing that she must to deal with. Here is a threat of war, threat of destroying the place they know and love. Bravis is one of these, who will followed her to the end of the world and I am glad that he become more visible. Some parts confused me: for example, an ancient test, which tell you what you will become (what is your function). These scenes I read a few times before I understand the whole point.
Whatever, I would be happy if we will get another stories about Ilorays because here are many things still unspoken and I want to see the main characters again. I know, I am a demending reader. ;) I will not spoil you but I hope you will enjoy in this special mermaid tale.
I highly recommend it! :)
December 1, 2025
2.5/5 ⭐ I really enjoyed this book! the world was fun and I liked how the made up language was related to living under water but it wasn't too much to be confusing. my only complaints were the world building sometimes felt random and forced. also the romantic feelings felt extremely rushed, they were too strong to feel like something genuine.
January 17, 2018
What a beautiful story!! It was such an inspiring magical novel that left me longing for more.
The author was kind enough to provide me with the Kindle edition and I am tremendously grateful for such an opportunity.
Iloray is not your regular mermaid story. It is a story of self discovery and all the losses and gains you might meet along your journey,called Life.
The characters left me with ache as I am going to miss them so much. The romance element worked out so well , I was smiling from cheek to cheek:)
I just hope Ms. Mary Jane Capps considers giving us the second book pronto, because I have questions that need to be answered and I want to see more Gryshen and Bravis :D
Thank you again for a great story!!
The author was kind enough to provide me with the Kindle edition and I am tremendously grateful for such an opportunity.
Iloray is not your regular mermaid story. It is a story of self discovery and all the losses and gains you might meet along your journey,called Life.
The characters left me with ache as I am going to miss them so much. The romance element worked out so well , I was smiling from cheek to cheek:)
I just hope Ms. Mary Jane Capps considers giving us the second book pronto, because I have questions that need to be answered and I want to see more Gryshen and Bravis :D
Thank you again for a great story!!
January 17, 2018
Written by Mary Jane Capps, Iloray is an author with great potential. She took a world, few dare tread and made it near normal. It was beautiful and very imaginative. I enjoyed the read, but I have to admit, Gryshen was a bit disappointing!
I know it's because I'm such a "Independent Woman" - it even drives my husband how strong-hearted (and verbal) I can be. So anyway, Gryshen allowed someone to come right in and sweep her off her tail fin without any hesitation! She allowed herself to be used like Wham! Yes, I know it happens a lot in stories, but I was surprise with her. A princess should have more strength, and to be without any Fins in Waiting, she just acted without advice... but that's what the story was about. Her finding herself and the courage to do what she was born to do.
The romance was light, which I truly appreciated, because everyone knows it's gotta be a pretty big love story for me to dive right in. To me the love and war balanced just right, making it a fabulous read. So I shared what I thought was a bit off with Gryshen. Now for Cos.
I LOVED how he went out a villain. Sometimes there's no redemption. There's no being saved and no turning back. Simply stated, he was a bad guy and that was cool with me. I also liked Bravis. He was a bit mature, but he came off good for Gryshen from the very start. The triangle was light between the three of them, preventing cliché-ish situations. Thank goodness for that!
All in all, Iloray A Mermaid Story is top-notch with me. I'll share with anyone who's interested in other-worldly tales and something different. Check it out, while I move on to the next read.
Full review available 02/14/18 at www.areneehunt.com
I know it's because I'm such a "Independent Woman" - it even drives my husband how strong-hearted (and verbal) I can be. So anyway, Gryshen allowed someone to come right in and sweep her off her tail fin without any hesitation! She allowed herself to be used like Wham! Yes, I know it happens a lot in stories, but I was surprise with her. A princess should have more strength, and to be without any Fins in Waiting, she just acted without advice... but that's what the story was about. Her finding herself and the courage to do what she was born to do.
The romance was light, which I truly appreciated, because everyone knows it's gotta be a pretty big love story for me to dive right in. To me the love and war balanced just right, making it a fabulous read. So I shared what I thought was a bit off with Gryshen. Now for Cos.
I LOVED how he went out a villain. Sometimes there's no redemption. There's no being saved and no turning back. Simply stated, he was a bad guy and that was cool with me. I also liked Bravis. He was a bit mature, but he came off good for Gryshen from the very start. The triangle was light between the three of them, preventing cliché-ish situations. Thank goodness for that!
All in all, Iloray A Mermaid Story is top-notch with me. I'll share with anyone who's interested in other-worldly tales and something different. Check it out, while I move on to the next read.
Full review available 02/14/18 at www.areneehunt.com
April 22, 2022
I started to listen to this as an audiobook.
The narrator is also not the best for the audiobook. Perhaps it should be a positive thing because she does sound like a young teenage girl. However, she reads as though she is surprised by every word she says.
For the life of me, though I'm only in as far as chapter 4, I can't feel strongly about any of the characters.
The protagonist just feels whiney to me so far. Instead of having honest conversations with the people in her life she just keeps her feelings to herself. Admittedly this might be because this is geared toward a young adult audience, but it feels contrived. To me it is too easy to predict what is going to happen. My predictions for the book are: During her paces she won't be labelled as a leader; she is going to end up with the son of the other pod; she's going to go on land in search of a missing pearl; her father will die; she won't become the new chief.
I can feel how the author pulls the strings. This does not feel like it was plotted out prior to writing. There are a lot of instances where the reader is overloaded with information. We don't necessarily need to know how the breathing chambers work when they are introduced. There is a lot of telling and not showing. The reader does should not need to be told to feel sad about the possiblity of the father's passing. Their relationship should be evident. Instead the protagonist seems to be more worried about taking over for her father than any grief that his death might cause.
I think the imagination and world building of the mermaids is unique, but again I do not feel that it is well described. Too much info dumping. I do like that the mermaids need to breathe air though.
The narrator is also not the best for the audiobook. Perhaps it should be a positive thing because she does sound like a young teenage girl. However, she reads as though she is surprised by every word she says.
For the life of me, though I'm only in as far as chapter 4, I can't feel strongly about any of the characters.
The protagonist just feels whiney to me so far. Instead of having honest conversations with the people in her life she just keeps her feelings to herself. Admittedly this might be because this is geared toward a young adult audience, but it feels contrived. To me it is too easy to predict what is going to happen. My predictions for the book are: During her paces she won't be labelled as a leader; she is going to end up with the son of the other pod; she's going to go on land in search of a missing pearl; her father will die; she won't become the new chief.
I can feel how the author pulls the strings. This does not feel like it was plotted out prior to writing. There are a lot of instances where the reader is overloaded with information. We don't necessarily need to know how the breathing chambers work when they are introduced. There is a lot of telling and not showing. The reader does should not need to be told to feel sad about the possiblity of the father's passing. Their relationship should be evident. Instead the protagonist seems to be more worried about taking over for her father than any grief that his death might cause.
I think the imagination and world building of the mermaids is unique, but again I do not feel that it is well described. Too much info dumping. I do like that the mermaids need to breathe air though.
January 2, 2018
Interesting first story. Worth checking out.
I have rated this story 4 stars because I have found that some people won't give a book a chance if it is rated anything less (myself included at times). So while I do not consider this book incredible, I do consider it worth checking out. It is, thankfully, a clean read with respect to romance (no sex scenes, implied or otherwise, no heavily graphic kissing scenes). There are some violent battle scenes, though short in duration. Unlike many fantasy stories these days, I appreciate the fact that this one doesn't span 10 plus books. That being said, sequels could be written. I would enjoy getting to know several of these characters better. (spoiler alert) I am not satisfied with the ending regarding Coss. He is a conflicted character that deserves a better ending. One with more hope of a positive transformation and a new direction for him and his pod following his father's death. I am glad Bravis is the final love interest, but I think that the heroine's heart transition from Coss to Bravis could also have been delved into more. The ending was a little confusing as well. All this being said, I think that it is a fairly good start. Keep honing your craft.
I have rated this story 4 stars because I have found that some people won't give a book a chance if it is rated anything less (myself included at times). So while I do not consider this book incredible, I do consider it worth checking out. It is, thankfully, a clean read with respect to romance (no sex scenes, implied or otherwise, no heavily graphic kissing scenes). There are some violent battle scenes, though short in duration. Unlike many fantasy stories these days, I appreciate the fact that this one doesn't span 10 plus books. That being said, sequels could be written. I would enjoy getting to know several of these characters better. (spoiler alert) I am not satisfied with the ending regarding Coss. He is a conflicted character that deserves a better ending. One with more hope of a positive transformation and a new direction for him and his pod following his father's death. I am glad Bravis is the final love interest, but I think that the heroine's heart transition from Coss to Bravis could also have been delved into more. The ending was a little confusing as well. All this being said, I think that it is a fairly good start. Keep honing your craft.
January 23, 2018
A good book worth reading
The young iloray Gryshen has always felt as though she was an outsider in her own pod. She falls in love with coss from another pod and as her plans to marry coss play on her mind her father takes his last breath. She soon find out that coss's father betrayals her father and the pod. Gryshen most learn to trust,and love again and figure out the secrets that have always made her feel like an outsider. So that she may lead her people to get back the sacred Pearl
The young iloray Gryshen has always felt as though she was an outsider in her own pod. She falls in love with coss from another pod and as her plans to marry coss play on her mind her father takes his last breath. She soon find out that coss's father betrayals her father and the pod. Gryshen most learn to trust,and love again and figure out the secrets that have always made her feel like an outsider. So that she may lead her people to get back the sacred Pearl
August 26, 2018
3.5 Stars
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.*
This story was hard to get into because Gryshen was a bit off and had no confidence at all. It was frustrating how she was but I think she did grow a lot by the end of the story. She came into her own and realized her place among her pod. I liked the romance and the progress of the story. This was a fast and entertaining read.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.*
This story was hard to get into because Gryshen was a bit off and had no confidence at all. It was frustrating how she was but I think she did grow a lot by the end of the story. She came into her own and realized her place among her pod. I liked the romance and the progress of the story. This was a fast and entertaining read.
July 21, 2019
The cover caught my attention and I am always interested in a mermaid tale. This story was very unique from the normal princess mermaid stories. Which made for a great and interesting read. The story was a clean read with just the right balance between romance and war. The heroine was hard to relate to in the beginning but of course she came about in the end, thankfully. The narrator did a good job bringing the story to life.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews