The Heart of the Caveat Whale Book One The Captives
by S .J. R. Smith
Published by Grosvenor House Publishing
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Reviewed by C. L. Rossman
This engaging fantasy introduces a new type of character: the aquavians, who look basically like humans except that they have gills, lungs and webbed fingers. They might be of human stock, though, since they can intermarry.
The book starts off with a bang: the aquavians’ peace-loving culture is invaded by wicked mermen, who conscript them to fight in the evil MerKing’s war. As the mermen torment their captives and feed them drugged food, Quoshonni and a few of her friends struggle to keep their sanity and their true natures.
Meanwhile in another part of the sea, a mighty quake separates Shunda, an aquaviling (youngster) from his parents and destroys their undersea home. The boy loses his people and wanders alone until adopted by a friendly dolphin, Obraidh. For twelve years, he searches for his lost people and happens to come to land in Hoondiake, just ahead of the mermen, whom he doesn’t know are pursuing him. There, the Prince Mookori takes him under his wing and tries to protect this lone peaceful aquavian. Hoondiake is battling the mermen and to its shock, aquavians who seem to have lost their ancient friendship with humans and now fight on the mermen’s side.
Besides a captivating fantasy, the book has several other things going on in it. Since the aquavians are dark-skinned, when the humans shun them, there is a thread of prejudice there. The mermen’s violent culture adds elements of coercion and violence. I’m wondering if the fact that subverted aquavians become covered with barnacles actually hints at hiding one’s true nature under a tough, scaly armor as a parable to modern life.
Overall, while the high-flown language the characters use sounds stilted sometimes, the book is a wonderful fantasy that adds new ideas to the genre.
Armchair Interviews says: Great underwater fantasy for young adult and older.