England, 1939. Ten-year-old Virginia Wrathmell arrives at Salt Winds, a secluded house on the edge of a marsh, to meet her adoptive parents―practical, dependable Clem and glamorous, mercurial Lorna. The marsh, with its deceptive tides, is a beautiful but threatening place. Virginia’s new parents’ marriage is full of secrets and tensions she doesn’t quite understand, and their wealthy neighbor, Max Deering, drops by too often, taking an unwholesome interest in the family’s affairs. Only Clem offers a true sense of home.

     This sequel to The Cruel Prince is tense, atmospheric, twisty, and everything I wanted it to be. Jude survived the events of the first book, but not without sacrifices--and now she has to fight to keep her power, fend off the fae of the Undersea, and untangle her complicated relationship with High King Cardan. This book will take you for a wild ride, and you won't be able to put it down. The moral gray areas, difficult decisions, and suspense will captivate you and ensure you're still thinking about it when you finish.

     It is the 1890's and a young, recently widowed naturalist Cora travels to Aldwinter to investigate rumors of a return of a mythical sea serpent to the gloomy marshes and estuaries of the tiny village. Top notch historic fiction writer Sarah Perry spins a well-written tale of menace and fear as well as humor, love, faith and courage. For a tale well told - read this book.