Anatra by Marilena Mexi

Description:

Peace and tranquility on the island of Aster, home to both humans and 'merfolk', has long been broken by a devastating phenomenon, recurring every five years. A storm including gusting winds and huge waves mysteriously appeared and eradicated much of the population. The misunderstandings, suspicion and hate born of this disaster have torn the two races apart, and the peace loving merfolk are now in a never-ending struggle to prove their innocence and restore peace to the island. 

On the human side, things are even worse; under the tyranny of cruel king Orestis, the people suffer and all their king cares for is vengeance against the “fish”, as he spitefully calls them, executing merfolk after merfolk for just being near his lands. Secrets, intense emotions and strange phenomena will upset their lives forever.

This is a hard book for me to review. I want to separate it into two reviews. One for the story and one for the artwork. Therefore I think that is what I will do...

The story is more of a young MG/YA type of read. It is sweet and the adventure is a good one to get kids involved into fantasy. You have mermaids and a handsome prince on which to swoon. The world is sweet with just enough of scary to bring together the couple. The lesson in the book is a good one about not condemning someone or something without evidence and that people are not static. One that might have been bad in the past can choose to be good. Although I thought this was a sweet book for the MG crowd, the pictures (for some parents) might have problems with the bare breasts of the mermaids (I live in America and they frown on that here). However, even having said that I did not see the pictures for the book as overtly sexual. It would be a matter of preference to the parent or person reading.

Now, I'd LOVE to turn to the pictures Marilena has made for the book. I love the paintings and are well done. I'm not easy to impress in depictions of fantasy because I have seen so many poorly done drawings or paintings. Ms. Mexi has won awards for her painting and you can tell why. The bones of the painting are strong and I enjoyed her colors. Many of the paintings are portraits of the characters, but my favorites tend to be the ones that were a part of a story. I also loved the landscapes that projected well the vastness and ethereal quality of the island.

Storm (do not copy!)

Although I did not love the story as much as the artwork, I still enjoyed the book. I'm really glad the author was inspired to do fantasy and I hope she continues. I would also be curious as to how the author might do a graphic novel. I'd really like to see more of her characters in action poses.

 I received this book from the author and no compensation was given.