I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of The Fate of Stars, the first book in the mermaid trilogy (Sea of Stars) that takes place in the same universe of Simper’s Fallen Gods series, which is why I devoured it in roughly 24 hours.
Here’s the plot-
While trying to save an overboard woman from drowning, Tallora is captured by Dauriel, the Solviran princess and is set to suffer a fate of exploitation. Mermaids are rare and Tallora’s presence in the kingdom causes a lot of buzz. Dauriel meant to impress her mother, the queen, with the rare find, but soon finds herself regretting her actions when it’s time for the tough spirited mermaid to be broken. Set on righting her wrong, Dauriel does everything she can to protect Tallora and eventually wins over her trust. Politics come into play as other kingdoms have their own views on captured mermaids, and Tallora finds herself in the middle of a possible war with no one exactly on her side except Dauriel who must risk her own life to set Tallora free.
If you can’t already tell, this is an enemy’s to lovers romance. Despite the rough beginning, I liked these two characters together. Tallora really challenges Dauriel’s perception of things. I think it’s clear that Dauriel is aching for the adventure and glory that was withheld from her for so many years due to illness but she lives in a bubble of her own assumptions: dragons are wicked, mermaids are beasts, and some people are just “lesser.” The best quality about Dauriel is her willingness and ability to change and grow. We see her soften and regain some light back into her life with Tallora’s presence, but we also see actions manifested by this change in perception by the end of the novel. Dauriel’s motive for stealing Tallora from her home is also excused by Tallora (and the reader) once her background is made clear. Anyone with a mother that cold is bound to make a few questionable life choices.
Tallora is one tough mermaid. Her ability to endure pain in the face of oppression was so beautifully juxtaposed with her natural sweet and nice disposition. I love these characters that Simper creates who suffer so and are then able to forgive and love.
Reading a book set in the same universe as Fallen Gods is an enriching experience. Despite The Fate of Stars being set 1,000 years in the past, there’s a lot to recognize, including one of my favorite characters who we get to see in a different light. With so much history, politics, and theology covered in the series, it was not only fun to follow along, but the text also added an emphasis to future acts that have not yet occurred.
I’m thrilled that the next two books in the Sea and Stars series are set to be released this summer. If you like fantasy, mermaids, or the enemies-to-lovers trope then The Fate of Stars is for you
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