Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a blog meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine to spotlight upcoming books.



This week's WoW selection is:



Sea Change by S.M. Wheeler

Publisher: Tor Books

Date: June 18, 2013

Pages: 304



The unhappy child of two powerful parents who despise each other, young Lilly turns to the ocean to find solace, which she finds in the form of the eloquent and intelligent sea monster Octavius, a kraken. In Octavius’s many arms, Lilly learns of friendship, loyalty, and family. When Octavius, forbidden by Lilly to harm humans, is captured by seafaring traders and sold to a circus, Lilly becomes his only hope for salvation. Desperate to find him, she strikes a bargain with a witch that carries a shocking price. 

Her journey to win Octavius’s freedom is difficult. The circus master wants a Coat of Illusions; the Coat tailor wants her undead husband back from a witch; the witch wants her skin back from two bandits; the bandits just want some company, but they might kill her first. Lilly's quest tests her resolve, tries her patience, and leaves her transformed in every way.

A powerfully written debut from a young fantasy author, Sea Change is an exhilarating tale of adventure, resilience, and selflessness in the name of friendship.



I wouldn't have found this book if it wasn't for the WoW meme-- the cover doesn't scream "fantasy" to me and I would have totally overlooked it if not for the other great bloggers who brought this to my attention. With so much fantasy still focused on werewolves and vampires, it's refreshing to see something different-- and who would have thought a kraken could be a main character?