ACROSS A WINE-DARK SEA

Rating:
Summary: An opinion of a college student-
Review: After I read "Beneath a sapphire sea" I absolutely had to read the others in this unique series. However, This is certainly not up to "Sapphire sea." The story-telling is flat and too informative for a romance. There is definitely not enough character development. Also, Ms. Bryan hasn't learned the basic idea of telling a story in this---Show, don't tell. I want to see the characters actions, not read pages and pages of boring thoughts on the same idea. However, The subject was interesting and unique, and the characters do grow on you.

Rating:
Summary: An opinion of a college student-
Review: After I read "Beneath a sapphire sea" I absolutely had to read the others in this unique series. However, This is certainly not up to "Sapphire sea." The story-telling is flat and too informative for a romance. There is definitely not enough character development. Also, Ms. Bryan hasn't learned the basic idea of telling a story in this---Show, don't tell. I want to see the characters actions, not read pages and pages of boring thoughts on the same idea. However, The subject was interesting and unique, and the characters do grow on you.

Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable romance between an Amazon & the Merfolk King
Review: This is one of the most fascinating and original books I've read in a long, long time. And even though it wasn't heavy on the romance and was more plot than character driven (my usual preference) I literally could not put it down.

Thalassa, born and raised as an Amazon warrior, is happy with her life. It isn't an easy one and her people are constantly at war with men but she is free. Fighting and protecting her sisters is what she lives for - until the day she is abducted by Dorian, King of the Merfolk, who sweeps her away to his world under the sea. She is furious and despises him immediately but tempers her rage when she realizes that her Goddess has ordained their match. Eventually this gentle God-like man with super human powers begins to tear down her defenses with kindness, fairness and patience and allows her to accept her fate and his love. But she never forgets her beloved Amazon sisters. And when she overhears that their lives are in danger she and Dorian risk everything to enter the battle.

Filled with historical and fantasy details that I've never before read about, I learned so many amazing things about the strong but doomed ancient tribe of woman warriors known as the Amazons and the mythical Merfolk who created a peaceful life under the sea. Interspersed with the fantasy elements are rich historical details of daily life and survival in those brutal times where women were little more than slaves. There were several sub-plots and secondary characters that were all equally riveting and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. This book is brutal and heartbreaking and filled with three-dimensional characters. It's not light and it's not funny and it's not my typical reading material but if you find it do not pass it by, it is a truly incredible book. An unforgettable one.

Rating:
Summary: Imaginative, provocative, and intrigueing, hard to put down.
Review: Though I found this book in the romance section of the book store, it could easily have been listed as historical fiction. It is apparent from the beginning that the author has thoroughly researched the early Mediterranean cultures. Set in 1260 B.C., it is the story of Thalassa, a young Amazon warrior, and Dorian, King of the Merpeople. Ms. Bryan skillfully weaves historical facts with an imaginative, but convincing story of the Merpeople.

Thalassa, a fiecely independent Amazon warrior, was chosen by the Elders to be the mate for Dorian. Set against the backdrop of the struggle between the Greeks and the Amazons the story tells of Thalassa's struggle to accept the role of mate to Dorian. At first she resists becoming a "slavemate" to Dorian. After spending time with Dorian and the Merpeople, she is able to appreciate the respect they have for all living things. She eventually is faced with the choice of a future with the kind and honorable Dorian or as an Amazon warrior.

Across A Wine-Dark Sea is a well-written historical romance which I find thoroughly enjoyable - every time I read it.