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The Sibylline Saga
Bluewater
Another mindwalker has been burned at the stake in Bluewater, and Ayana won't stand for it any longer. She's ready to risk everything to help a boy called Nikolas escape the city. Across the border to the north, no one will care that he knows things he shouldn't.
But Ayana's own secrets may ruin the plan she has set in motion. When she's caught at the water's edge with one of the merfolk, her plan to get Nikolas to safety comes crashing down around her. Ayana can't help anyone if she's the next in line to burn.
Ayana has been told her whole life not to stare too long into the water, for fear that something might stare back from out of the deep. Now the ocean may be the only hope she and Nikolas have left.
But Ayana's own secrets may ruin the plan she has set in motion. When she's caught at the water's edge with one of the merfolk, her plan to get Nikolas to safety comes crashing down around her. Ayana can't help anyone if she's the next in line to burn.
Ayana has been told her whole life not to stare too long into the water, for fear that something might stare back from out of the deep. Now the ocean may be the only hope she and Nikolas have left.
- GenresShort Stories
ebook
First published December 1, 2022
12 people want to read
About the author
Anna Cackler
10 books45 followersAnna Cackler is a lover of story – and a sucker for drama, romance, and dark beauty. Which is odd, considering how generally unserious she is most of the time. She’s married to her best friend, and they have a lovely little family in Arkansas. They have two dogs, a cat, a slew of chickens, and a pond in their front yard that won’t hold water. She’s pretty sure there’s a metaphor in there, somewhere.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 20, 2024
Bluewater is a standalone novella, a fantasy romance based in The Sibyline Saga world. The pace, smooth writing and story kept me at the edge of my seat and unable to put it down. I'm not going to say much, this is the kind of tale you have to read for yourself (much like Starsong from the same author, actually!), all I can say is that it's one of a kind! If you like a fantasy tale about Merfolk and humans, then this is definitely something you'll enjoy!
November 7, 2023
Bard tales are the best!
And this was no exception.
The author begins each chapter with an epigraph that totally sets the stage for the subsequent text; her epilogue and prologue are perfect bookends.
This slightly dark tale could be a long-ago fantasy, a future-day dystopian, or a reflection on modern times.
I want to read more by this author.
***EDIT
Continuing with 'The Glass Wheel'
And this was no exception.
The author begins each chapter with an epigraph that totally sets the stage for the subsequent text; her epilogue and prologue are perfect bookends.
This slightly dark tale could be a long-ago fantasy, a future-day dystopian, or a reflection on modern times.
I want to read more by this author.
***EDIT
Continuing with 'The Glass Wheel'
January 23, 2025
Another installment in the Sibylline Saga, and it does not disappoint. I am really enjoying these short stories that have fairy tale elements to them.
This is a tale that features a mermaid, but it’s mostly about the human on land who is friends with the mermaid, and how because of biases and hatred, has to keep their friendship secret.
There is love, betrayal and friendship in this short story. Again, the author weaves a beautiful spell with her storytelling, and you find yourself entranced. I cannot wait to read more of this series.
This is a tale that features a mermaid, but it’s mostly about the human on land who is friends with the mermaid, and how because of biases and hatred, has to keep their friendship secret.
There is love, betrayal and friendship in this short story. Again, the author weaves a beautiful spell with her storytelling, and you find yourself entranced. I cannot wait to read more of this series.
August 30, 2023
This dark fairytale was a beautiful story about love and heart break. Afraid of the water, the villagers refuse to go to the shore for long periods of time. Ayana and her mother love the sea and spend as much time as they can despite what everyone else has to say. One day, Ayana meets a mermaid who she is destined for. This novella was amazing and I definitely recommend Anna's work to everyone! These are short stories but very powerful.
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About the book:
Another mindwalker has been burned at the stake in Bluewater, and Ayana won't stand for it any longer. She's ready to risk everything to help a boy called Nikolas escape the city. Across the border to the north, no one will care that he knows things he shouldn't.
But Ayana's own secrets may ruin the plan she has set in motion. When she's caught at the water's edge with one of the merfolk, her plan to get Nikolas to safety comes crashing down around her. Ayana can't help anyone if she's the next in line to burn.
Ayana has been told her whole life not to stare too long into the water, for fear that something might stare back from out of the deep. Now the ocean may be the only hope she and Nikolas have left.
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About the book:
Another mindwalker has been burned at the stake in Bluewater, and Ayana won't stand for it any longer. She's ready to risk everything to help a boy called Nikolas escape the city. Across the border to the north, no one will care that he knows things he shouldn't.
But Ayana's own secrets may ruin the plan she has set in motion. When she's caught at the water's edge with one of the merfolk, her plan to get Nikolas to safety comes crashing down around her. Ayana can't help anyone if she's the next in line to burn.
Ayana has been told her whole life not to stare too long into the water, for fear that something might stare back from out of the deep. Now the ocean may be the only hope she and Nikolas have left.
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October 27, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was a quick read, and very fun!
The characters were captivating and the story was paced just right! This book is a standalone related to a series the author wrote. I loved this book enough I will be picking up the rest of the series!
If you like mermaids, magic, and forbidden romance/friendships, this is the book for you! Love. Betrayal. Adventure. Death. It’s a wonderful combination if you ask me!
The characters were captivating and the story was paced just right! This book is a standalone related to a series the author wrote. I loved this book enough I will be picking up the rest of the series!
If you like mermaids, magic, and forbidden romance/friendships, this is the book for you! Love. Betrayal. Adventure. Death. It’s a wonderful combination if you ask me!
January 1, 2024
This reads like a fairytale, made more compelling by the heroine telling her own story.
She lives on the edges of her society, still bound by its prejudices, until things come to a head and she has to make a choice - one that her heart has made for her long ago.
I loved this story and can only recommend it! I will look for more books by this author.
She lives on the edges of her society, still bound by its prejudices, until things come to a head and she has to make a choice - one that her heart has made for her long ago.
I loved this story and can only recommend it! I will look for more books by this author.
July 18, 2023
I loved this story. I recommend ever one to read this book. I look forward to reading more of her books. Hopefully another story about a mermaid. Kattie.
May 17, 2025
I'm very torn by this merfolk tale prequel of sorts, as I really wanted to like it as it's part of the gorgeous Sibylline Saga. While set in the same intriguing fantasy world as other short stories, I didn't think this one was as strong as other entries.
Perhaps it's because I recently read Chloe Timms' The Seawomen which deals with a similar (if less magical sounding) situation of people fearing the sea and any who may well dwell in it, this one just didn't feel as fleshed out. I think I needed more transition between chapters, more explanations as to why characters acted the way they did at the exact moment they did . The romantic angle would have been nice to watch unfold on page rather than have happened between time skips.
Don't get me wrong, the author still has the magic touch when it comes to prose. There are some beautiful turns of phrase that manage to be evocative without crossing into purple territory. The typos were few and far between; nothing another round of proofing wouldn't fix.
My personal preference would have been for the story to have had more development of the world and characters, letting us understand the hows and whys of their lives. I liked it, but can't help wishing it had let us spend more time with it.
-I received a free copy of this e-book. This does not influence my review-
Perhaps it's because I recently read Chloe Timms' The Seawomen which deals with a similar (if less magical sounding) situation of people fearing the sea and any who may well dwell in it, this one just didn't feel as fleshed out. I think I needed more transition between chapters, more explanations as to why characters acted the way they did at the exact moment they did . The romantic angle would have been nice to watch unfold on page rather than have happened between time skips.
Don't get me wrong, the author still has the magic touch when it comes to prose. There are some beautiful turns of phrase that manage to be evocative without crossing into purple territory. The typos were few and far between; nothing another round of proofing wouldn't fix.
My personal preference would have been for the story to have had more development of the world and characters, letting us understand the hows and whys of their lives. I liked it, but can't help wishing it had let us spend more time with it.
-I received a free copy of this e-book. This does not influence my review-
May 17, 2024
Couldn't let May pass by without reading this merfolk story, which I enjoyed. I love how the tale came full circle with beginning and end linking in the end
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews