Nerissa "Rissa" Marin has done such a good job at blending into the human world that she has almost forgotten her heritage. As a human, she's focused on soccer and her ongoing feud with her former best friend, Cara Andrews. However, all of that is about to change as Rissa will have to face her Aquarathi heritage. Either Rissa learns to fight for her rightful place as the heir to the undersea kingdom or she will risk losing all those she loves.

Amalie Howard creates such vivid and breathtaking images of the sea and the underwater world Rissa once resided in! Quite honestly, I wanted more of those stunning beautiful scenes rather than the everyday human drama unfolding at the beginning. However, the mystery quickly deepens as we meet Lo, Speio, and Jenna and we begin to see the dilemma from Rissa's perspective.

My favorite part of WATERFELL, outside of the visually striking scenes of the sea, are the moments where we see the bond of friendship that has grown between Rissa and Jenna. Despite the obvious paranormal aspects, WATERFELL is at its heart a story of friendship and the depths one will go to in order to stand by a friend. Jenna is truly the heroine of WATERFELL as Rissa has a lot of growing up to do. However, it is seeing Rissa through Jenna's eyes that makes her likable as otherwise Rissa's anger and acerbic tongue would be quite off-putting.

WATERFELL is a very pleasant surprise. I almost didn't read it as I feared it would be yet another mermaid tale with a lost princess. Instead, Amalie Howard creates an entirely new species and one that I hope we learn more about in future books. I eagerly anticipate the second book in this series, particularly with the issues still to be resolved.

Book Summary

Nerissa Marin hides among teens in her human form, waiting for the day she can claim her birthright—the undersea kingdom stolen from her the day her father was murdered. Blending in is her best weapon—until her father's betrayer confronts Nerissa and challenges her to a battle to the death on Nerissa's upcoming birthday—the day she comes of age.

Amid danger and the heartbreak of her missing mother, falling for a human boy is the last thing Nerissa should do. But Lo Seavon breaches her defenses and somehow becomes the only person she can count on to help her desperate search for her mother, a prisoner of Nerissa's mortal enemy. Is Lo the linchpin that might win Nerissa back her crown? Or will this mortal boy become the weakness that destroys her?