Drifting

Sinking Trilogy #2

by Sarah Armstrong-Garner

Jocelyn plunges into the ocean near Calcutta, India, thrown overboard by a man claiming it’s the only way to save her life. As she sinks, the transformation begins, and the ocean welcomes her back into its embrace.

Aidan Boyd thought the only way to save Jocelyn was to give her back to the ocean, but now he’s not so sure. Aidan doesn’t believe in mermaids, but he can’t explain the way she changed. Will he see Jocelyn again? Or has he condemned her to a watery grave?

Jocelyn drifts in a world she’d forgotten only to find she’s hunted by a deadly force from the ancient city of Thessa, the reason she was hidden in the world above. But she cannot get Aidan out of her head. Was what they shared real? Or was it a fantasy brought on by her unconscious need to seduce a human?

Both Aidan and Jocelyn begin a desperate and dangerous journey to discover the truth... and hopefully each other. But will their love be enough?

290 pages, Paperback

First published April 26, 2018

About the author

So, you want to know a little about me. Well I am a mother, a wife, and (now here is the crazy part) author and screenwriter. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I have lived a hundred lives creating stories and have seen thousands of characters lift off of a page to argue with me over a line of dialogue.

At the moment, I am working on my third novel, Rising. The last book in the Sinking Trilogy

You can learn more about me by following me on Facebook and Twitter to get faster updates on my novels, screenplays, and projects.

Reviews

[𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚⋆. · ⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drifting, the second book of the "Sinking" trilogy by Sarah Armstrong-Garner has me asking for more.

Yes, this book leaves you hanging, asking too many questions and wondering what will happen next.

This second book follows Jocelyn as she transforms back into her mermaid form, recovering her memories, being saved by a sweet, badass and witty mermaid named Piean who takes her to a merman scientist that places everything Jocelyn (Mli) believed in into a balance that goes inclined in the wrong direction by the second. We also follow Benlar as he tries to keep up with Jocelyn's new auto-discoveries, her undecided feelings towards him and a new path that seems promising yet terrifying to follow. Together, with their new friends, they go in search of answers for why is Jocelyn being hunted and who she truly, really, is. It cannot be left out the brave, handsome, kind and broken-hearted Captain Aidan Boyd above the waters, who is asking himself if what happened between him and Jocelyn was real or just a mermaid trick; and if he truly believes she is a mermaid at all. With his arrogant ex-employer, Thomas, and his loyal crew; Aidan takes about into finding Jocelyn, making new outburst and risky decisions that might change his life forever.

Even though it doesn't have much of a strong plot, this book is fast passed and so entertaining you keep saying to yourself "just one more chapter" at every chapter's end. The writing is beautiful and easy to read, and it grips you since the very beginning. The details are well exposed so you can get a really almost excellent view of how it is under the sea. The characters have different developments, and we can see how they change from the first book to the ending of this one. One that surprised me how much I was starting to like him was Benlar. He started to get soft in my heart when I saw how he was so determined to find his love even if he was unconscious of the reality that his feelings are (or might be, I'm pretty sure) platonic. Also when he got attached to that pet fish, it was one of the cutest things I've ever read. He is strong but humble at heart, and is willing to do whatever it takes to protect those who he loves (which is Jocelyn but I'm 99% sure that is about to change very soon). As for Aidan (who I dearly love) how he is starting to change worries me a little, though I love pirates so much I do not mind. But... his new name!? I am scared and excited about what that might mean in the whole story!

But the thing I most enjoyed about this book was Jocelyn's background story (such a plot twist!) and the mermaids/merman's backstory too. Now I have my theories, and I won't say much about it, but it is simply amazing how it is, in a way, a human creation (I believe?). It is simply science? It blowed my mind for a second, but if you want to know more you definitely need to read this series. It has mermaids, pirates, and an ocean song that will give you nightmares! (Okay, I totally hyperbolized there).



I am looking forward, very very excited, for the third and final book to come out and see how this will end. Will Aidan find Jocelyn? And if he does, what will he do when he sees who she has become and the other way around, too? And Jocelyn; is she completely gone? Will she be strong enough? Will love conquer all if it was truly true love in the first place? Too many questions, and a hell of a long time to wait for answers.

Thanks for reading! x

[Kelly Bridgewater · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read the first book in the Sinking Trilogy by Sarah Armstrong-Garner, and it was most definitely a unique story with a different sounding voice. If it is possible, I would like to say that Drifting, the second book in the series, is even better than the first addition. Most books in a series an author will start strong with her first book and kind of fizzle out as the second and third book are published. But not with Armstrong-Garner. I think she wrote a better story the second time around. The plot moves rapidly with a number of twists and turns and questions about who Jocelyn really is. There are plenty of moments of mystery and intrigue to float around in my imagination. I really enjoy the amount of work Armstrong-Garner probably had to do to make me believe that I am actually floating around under the water with Jocelyn. As someone who is scared of water, this was an amazing feat. The story ended in a cliffhanger, making me wish there was more to the story. But no, I have to wait, and I am waiting anxiously for the next installment.

As a word of caution, like before, the D*** word is used at least three times, so if you can't read past that, then you might want to be cautious when picking up this novel.

I believe fans of Sara Ella, Mary Weber, and Melanie Dickerson should pick this novel up and read it. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I received a complimentary copy of Drifting by Sarah Armstrong-Garner from LovetoReadLovetoWrite Publishing, LLC, but the opinions stated are all my own

[Jess Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and for the sake of transparency, the author is my critique partner.

Drifting picks up right where Sinking left off, with Jocelyn and swoon-worthy ship captain, Aidan Boyd, separated by the worlds in which they inhabit. With quick action, the interconnected story lines of Jocelyn, Aidan, and Benlar tend to mirror each other. The reader consistently finds themselves trying to predict who the better match for Jocelyn is, but as her character grows and learns more about her history, the choice becomes an impossible one. They all risk losing everything they thought they knew about themselves.

The heart of this book is wrapped up in key concepts of good versus evil. Can such polar opposites coexist within one person? And if so, what does that mean for their relationships?

Armstrong-Garner’s characters are well-fleshed out, and three-dimensional even within the new worlds they find themselves in. The author threads science and technology into the mermaid society in an interesting way. A fast-paced plot with some pretty massive surprises should leave readers begging for the trilogy’s conclusion, Rising. Overall, it’s a unique story with big pay-offs.

[Heather K. Foutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is told in both Jocelyn’s and Aidan’s point of view. It starts with us being plunged into Jocelyn’s/Mli’s world under the sea where Jocelyn has transformed back into a mermaid, though the choice was not hers being unconscious and all. She was very sick from healing a land walker child while in India, so Adian did the only thing he could think of to save her, even being skeptical of her genetics – he threw her overboard his ship. With her memory back and her heart being pulled in two different directions, she must find somewhere to hide until she can figure out where to go from here. Meanwhile Aidan faces mutiny for going against his employer and stealing his ship. Swallowing his pride, he sends the one person he hates but knows can protect Jocelyn in the water, Benlar, the man who is also in love with her. Both Aidan and Jocelyn go on a desperate and dangerous journey to uncover the truth and to be reunited once again. My question is, will their love enough to survive after everything? Also, when will book three: “Rising” be released!?

[Laurie Lucking · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man, I wasn't sure what to expect from Jocelyn's journey next after the end of Sinking, and this was intense! It was so interesting to learn more about the community of mermaids and mermen, especially their cool technology. And the secret behind why Jocelyn had been sent up to land...yikes! I missed getting to see Aidan and Jocelyn together, but I liked the intrigue that Aidan's portion of the story added as well and the surprises along the way. Drifting made for a gripping continuation of the series, and now I can't wait for the conclusion!

[K.E. Radke · Rating 5 out of 5]

this continues exactly where book 1 leaves off and gets deeper into the mermaid world. it splits between Joclyns world and Aidens. It also gives hints to maybe a next series she's thinking about writing.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! Really great sequel. Loved learning more about the backstory of the characters. Great character development too! I need the 3rd book now!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good follow up to Sinking. Excited for the next one!

[Pam Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second part of the trilogy is an excellent fantasy read.