Sally Ann Hunter

Sally Ann Hunter, an Australian author, poet, biologist, and environmental policy officer, has crafted a mesmerizing fantasy novel that draws from her multifaceted background. The book opens with a vivid description of the Sea Sprite's mother emerging from the ocean, her dark green dress dripping and trailing embroidery of the same hue, as she comes to take her child home. The imagery is rich, and the mirrors in her heart reflect light like sunlight on the sea, leading to musings on the nature of the ocean and coast, symbolizing whispers of emotion and memories of intuition.
The plot is succinctly summarized: Laura and Daphne, imagining themselves as mother and Sea Sprite, embark on a journey to explore the sea, from estuaries and mangroves to Antarctic waters and the deep ocean. Along the way, they encounter sea creatures like urchins, stingrays, dolphins, and sharks, paralleling their own behaviors. Accompanied by sea nymphs and aided by a special conch shell, they delve into their pasts and seek healing, unaware of the profound transformations awaiting them.
This book is a captivating read, likely to be finished in one sitting due to its poetic and imaginative portrayal of the sea and its inhabitants, including rarely depicted sea nymphs. Hunter's poems, interwoven into the narrative, provide moments for reflection. Though categorized as a paranormal fantasy, the novel offers a profound appreciation for the ocean's beauty. A highly recommended read, this book is a gift to all who marvel at the natural world.… (plus d'informations)

The interesting thing about this book is that it treats nature as if it were a character. The natural environment, such as the ocean, is given as much attention as the human characters.

This lovely book shows how women's behaviour can be related to sea creatures. Even though these sea creatures are not human, they share some similarities with us. The story focuses on Laura's inner thoughts and emotions, particularly her challenging relationship with her mother. Daphne has gone through a terrible experience in the past, she was sexually assaulted, and this has caused deep emotional wounds. So, she requires much care and support to recover from that trauma. I recommend reading this beautiful book to know how the two women explore various ocean environments together.

In this book, poems are woven into the storytelling all across. The writing is full of beautiful and poetic language, making the story and its topics even more enchanting.… (plus d'informations)

Australian author Sally Ann Hunter is a poet whose works appear in anthologies as well as online. She is also a biologist and environmental policy officer, and in this novel she utilizes all of these factors in presenting a hauntingly beautiful fantasy. The ‘nature’ of this radiant book is suggested as the story opens- ‘The Sea Sprite’s mother wades majestically out of the ocean. Her dripping dress is dark green, trailing embroidery in the same colour. She has come to gather up the Sea Sprite in her arms to take her home. The mirrors in her heart open as if for the first time. Reflected light shines between them like sunlight on the surface of the sea. From this radiance, she muses on the nature of the sea and the coast. The sea represents a whisper of emotion and a memory of intuition. It can be said to be the fullness of the subconscious…’

Briefly, the storyline is distilled - ‘On the shores of the ocean, Laura and Daphne fantasise that they are mother and daughter, mother and Sea Sprite. They both have problems in their past, which they need to resolve. They set out to explore every aspect of the sea, from an estuary and mangroves to Antarctic waters and the deep ocean. Mother Sea is a whisper of emotion and a memory of intuition. She dwells in the subconscious. Sea creatures abound, from sea urchins and stingrays to dolphins and sharks. Some of these parallel the behaviour of the women. Sea nymphs accompany them and they are assisted by a special conch shell. While they are exploring the sea, the women also explore their own make-ups. Laura remembers interactions with her own mother. Daphne needs healing. However, they have no idea of the profound changes which will come to them.’

Once opened, this book is likely to be completed in one sitting, so rhapsodic and creative is the depiction of the sea and the flora and fauna (including sea nymphs) that have rarely been so eloquently penned. Hunter’s poems, woven in the storyline, allow pause for introspection, and while this novel is considered a paranormal fantasy, the experience of reading draws a deeper appreciation for all things oceanic. Read and marvel at the beauty of nature, this book is a gift to all. Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book… (plus d'informations)