Alright, Curious One. I just completed the first companion novella which belongs to Born of Water – from the Elemental Origins series – titled The Wreck of Sybellen. I just need to say, “Whoa.” I mentioned this novella during my Born of Water discussion you hopefully read.
Okay, first off, I’m gonna say that I LOVED how it was entirely written in journal format from Aleksandra Novak (you have an idea who she is if you read Born of Water). It was a wonderful break-up from the main storyline that still held relevance and pulled you in. It also directly picked up where Targa left off in the final sentence of Born of Water; where she opened the translated journal pages to begin reading.
(I will be discussing each book in the series. Skip down to the Release Schedule!)
Thoughts on The Wreck of Sybellen
It spanned about 9 years – from the year 1861 to 1870 – and was detailed and very informative into some of the actions that led to Sybellen returning to the ocean with potential salt-flush and forgetting everything about this life. It would also explain how Mira and Targa could be her descendants. The journal entries made it sound like Sybellen was having a really rough time on land and could no longer refuse the call back home to the sea.
Of course, it didn’t really give any specifics that helped you answer some questions. I mean, it was from Aleksandra’s perspective, so you didn’t get any history about Sybellen and since it was written in the form of a journal, you didn’t get any information about what happened to her. It ended a year after the wreck and storm so it was all the information that Martinius had already expressed to us in the first novel.
It was nice to have a first-hand recount of what the desperation looks like for a mermaid to get back to the sea. In Mira’s case, she had already been through the worst of it and had grown accustomed to the pain and longing in order to care for Targa. It was a heart-wrenching experience to read. It brought you closer to understanding what Mira went through and what a potential road-block Targa could have in her future. I’m excited to read how it plays out.
So, So Curious…
I was really curious… it was brought up a couple times within the short novella itself how different the two boys were. They were twins, sure, but one was a reflection of his father and the other was the reflection of his mother. If Emun Jr., the son who died in the wreck of the Sybellen had many of the same traits of his mother – the pale skin that never tans, the dark hair and blue eyes and the love for the sea – why is everyone positive he died in the wreckage? Just because he was a boy?
Targa is an anomaly, couldn’t Emun Jr. be an anomaly as well? And no one knew she was a mermaid, so Emun Jr. being a boy shouldn’t have played a factor. At the same time though, Sybellen could have already succumbed to salt-flush and no longer known who she was and who was calling her name in the storm.
Many curiosities I had prior to reading the novella remain, but I am thrilled to begin the second installment of the series!
Keep on reading, Curious One! I’m going to start another book…
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Curiosity Release Schedule for Elemental Origins Series
Book 1: Born of Water – August 30th, 2020
Novella 1: The Wreck of Sybellen – September 1st, 2020
Book 2: Born of Fire – September 4th, 2020
Novella 2: Pyro: A Fire Novella – September 6th, 2020
Book 3: Born of Earth – September 9th, 2020
Book 4: Born of Aether – September 12th, 2020
Book 5: Born of Air – September 15th, 2020
Book 6: The Elementals – September 18th, 2020
I really hope you follow me along my journey of curiosity with the Elemental Series by A.L Knorr. I loved it and I hope to see some other curious faces visit my thoughts.
Make sure to visit A.L. Knorr’s website!
My next discussion will begin with the second book of the Elemental Origins Series, Born of Fire. I’d love to see you there, Curious One! Subscribe to my blog to get an email when a new Curiosity posts!
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